The Bondi Tragedy… and the ripples on us all
Pikria Darchia.
Yixuan Cheng.
Ashlee Good.
Dawn Singleton.
Jade Young.
Faraz Tahir.
The names of the six people who lost their lives on Saturday, April 13th, 2024, at the Bondi Junction Westfield shopping Centre which became the site of a horrific incident that also left several others injured.
It is hard to make sense of what is senseless to most of us.
The majority of the reporting and commentary I have consumed so far has been dissecting this event as a result of unmanaged mental health. I know nothing about the offender, Joel Cauchi', and his mental health history. But what myself and many women I have been speaking with know… this was a gender-based crime with a ripple effect on women everywhere. Five of the six people unalived were women, and I also believe that 18 of the 20 overall harmed were women, also inclusive of Ashlee’s 9-month-old baby girl.
There are three points I believe to be true and necessary to be held in this discussion.
Most people who have serious mental health conditions do not commit acts of violence.
The overwhelming majority of violent acts resulting in death and serious injury are perpetrated by men.
Mental health is most often not a causal factor in the use of violence. The choice to use violence is it’s own issue. At the same time, the presence of unmanaged and unsupported mental health issues can exacerbate preexisting issues with the use of violence.
So there are two things many of us are grappling with…
What the f*** needs to be done to keep women from dying at the hands of male violence?
27 women have been killed in Australia this year.
And thousands of women and children are still living in fear that they could be next.
And this tragedy in Bondi on Saturday reminds women, we are not safe. Not in our homes, not walking to our cars, not out with our friends, and not even out shopping with our babies.
Raise your hand if you have been more hypervigilant when entering the shops the last few days? Raise your hand if you have looked at your loved one with a moment of gratitude that you have them, but with a moment of fear that any moment that could change?
What the f*** needs to be done to improve our flawed mental health system?
Four years ago we shut down a country because of the threat of COVID and potential loss of lives. I am not here to comment on the yay and nay of that approach, but what it does highlight is the lengths that the government and society can go to, to keep people safe.
Many will say millions and millions of dollars is already funneled into our mental health system. But the funding and services available are still not meeting the need.
Extensive waitlists in free and private services
Limited rebated sessions available through Medicare per calendar year.
Practices unable to afford running costs on bulk billed services.
The revolving door of the emergency department.
NDIS cutting and denying psychosocial supports for participants, and redirecting them back to the flawed and expensive health care system of Medicare.
Difficulty in accessing affordable and timely diagnostic appointments.
There is plenty more that could be said about social and public policy outside of the scope of mental health that also has a significant effect on the mental health and wellbeing of our communities, with the current cost of living and housing affordability coming to mind at the top of the list.
If you have been impacted by what happened in at Bondi Junction Westfields on Saturday, know you are one of many and your nervous system is doing exactly what it is meant to do - activating to keep you safe. The presence of hypervigilance, anxiety, worry, sleeplessness and overthinking are normal responses to trauma. You did not to be present at the incident to be traumatised by what has happened. Know your feelings are valid.
Please reach out to your current supports if required and refer people who may have been directly impacted by the event to Victims Services, who are coordinating a response to support those affected.
Written by Nicole Staats
Accredited Mental Heath Social Worker
Principal Therapist at The Dawn Therapeutic Services