She Matters

Creative, artistic, adventurous, fun, gregarious - she was many things to those who loved her. To her kids, she was their dedicated mum who just wanted the best for them. Her name is Sherry Joy Bulman. She was only 40 years old. He murdered her because she wanted a new life away from him. She was pregnant with her seventh child. Some 36 years after her murder, Sherry's daughter Tarna and her best...

She wanted to control her own life - for this, he murdered her - in front of the children. Her name is Alison Doreen Perfect. She was only 39. When they took him to jail, Alison's children were placed in the foster care system. Her daughter Donna-Leigh Perfect endured deeply traumatic violence while in care - and when the killer was released from jail, she was given an impossible choice. Today, Do...

She wanted to control her own life - for this, he murdered her - in front of the children. Her name is Alison Doreen Perfect. She was only 39. When they took him to jail, Alison's children were placed in the foster care system. Her daughter Donna-Leigh Perfect endured deeply traumatic violence while in care - and when the killer was released from jail, she was given an impossible choice. Today, Do...

At the start of the She Matters Podcast, I interviewed Nikkita Azzopardi's brother Shaun, sister Farrah and cousin Priya. At the time, Nikkita's killer was going through the legal process. Today, I speak again to Shaun and also Nikkita's parents Mary and Edward. They have, in many ways found some solace following the death of the man who ended Nikkita's life. This is part two of Nikkita's story -...

Today, we are replaying Nikkita’s story because next week, Sherele sits down with her parents, Mary, Edward and her brother, Shaun, for an update. Listen to today's replay to remember Nikkita's story, share it and get ready for next week’s incredibly raw update with her family. She lived her life to the fullest, skydiving, travelling, food, fun. She was the glue that held her family together. On h...

We are re-releasing this episode, Kelly's sister Paula and Sherele Moody are actively fighting to secure a coronial inquest into Kelly's death. To make this happen, they need to present compelling evidence to the coroner. We are putting Kelly’s story back at the top of your feed because the truth cannot be buried. We need eyes on this case, we need voices raised, and most importantly, we need anyo...

There's a moment in her story when you understand how cold and calculating a killer can be. There's a moment in her dad's story that will madden and frustrate you. There's a moment in her sister's story when you will understand how brave and empathetic families can be in the wake of violence and murder. Her name is Jacinta Louise Bush. She was only 19. Four months after her partner ended Jacinta's...

There's a moment in her story when you understand how cold and calculating a killer can be. There's a moment in her dad's story that will madden and frustrate you. There's a moment in her sister's story when you will understand how brave and empathetic families can be in the wake of violence and murder. Her name is Jacinta Louise Bush. She was only 19. Four months after her partner ended Jacinta's...

It's the waiting for answers that tires her the most. A loving aunt to a little girl stolen from her bed in the deep of night. Margaret Thomas was 29 years old when her first-born niece was abducted. The little girl's name is Eloise Anne Worledge. She was only eight years old. It's been 50 years since that day and Margaret is now a woman in her twilight years. Despite the passage of time and the i...

His abuse of her was relentless and brutal. When she died, she was treated as nothing more than a footnote in the legal system. Her name is Kiara Ferguson. She was only 27. A single bullet killed Kiara. She was pregnant with her third child. Her daughters were in the room nearby. Everything that happened to Kiara - before and after her death - is stark evidence of how badly Australian women a...

His abuse of her was relentless and brutal. When she died, she was treated as nothing more than a footnote in the legal system. Her name is Kiara Ferguson. She was only 27. A single bullet killed Kiara. She was pregnant with her third child. Her daughters were in the room nearby. Everything that happened to Kiara - before and after her death - is stark evidence of how badly Australian women a...

He brutalised her for years and when the police came, they charged her with violence. When he killed her, they let him get away with murder. Her name is Alicia Little. She was only 41. Alicia's mum Lee Little has dedicated almost every waking hour to changing the story for other women. It's been horrific knowing Alicia's killer is on dating apps and roaming the country, barely having suf...

He brutalised her for years and when the police came, they charged her with violence. When he killed her, they let him get away with murder. Her name is Alicia Little. She was only 41. Alicia's mum Lee Little has dedicated almost every waking hour to changing the story for other women. It's been horrific knowing Alicia's killer is on dating apps and roaming the country, barely having suf...

She went for a drive with her son. After that, everything is a mystery. No charges. No body. No legal outcomes. Her name is Kathleen (Katie) O'Shea. She was only 44. Katie's daughter Lily has spent more than half her life not knowing who killed her mum. Somewhere in the vast Atherton Tablelands in Queensland is her body and the evidence police need to charge Katie's killer. Today, Lily tells...

Far from home she died. A young woman who spent the final years of her life living in terror. Her name is Molly Jane Wilkes. She was only 22. For every one woman I document as having been killed by their former or current partner, another 10 women will die by suicide following domestic violence. Yet, domestic violence related suicide flies under the radar. Molly is one of these women. Since her de...

Far from home she died. A young woman who spent the final years of her life living in terror. Her name is Molly Jane Wilkes. She was only 22. For every one woman I document as having been killed by their former or current partner, another 10 women will die by suicide following domestic violence. Yet, domestic violence related suicide flies under the radar. Molly is one of these women. Since her de...

There's a point in her story, where you understand exactly how hard it is for women to leave an abuser. Her name is Caitlin Rose Thornton. She was only 21. On International Women's Day she made a huge decision about her life. By evening she was on life support - she died three days later. In this episode you will hear Caitlin begging for er life and for her children. It is deeply confronting...

There's a point in her story, where you understand exactly how hard it is for women to leave an abuser. Her name is Caitlin Rose Thornton. She was only 21. On International Women's Day she made a huge decision about her life. By evening she was on life support - she died three days later. In this episode you will hear Caitlin begging for er life and for her children. It is deeply confronting...

For 22 years, she's waited. For answers. For justice. For peace. But it never comes. She waits for the person who killed her precious nonna to be held to account. It feels like an eternity, these decades. Her nonna's name is Marea Bambina Alice Yann. She was only 69. Esther Yann was nine when her darling grandmother was murdered. After years of hope and despair, Esther continues to push throu...

For 22 years, she's waited. For answers. For justice. For peace. But it never comes. She waits for the person who killed her precious nonna to be held to account. It feels like an eternity, these decades. Her nonna's name is Marea Bambina Alice Yann. She was only 69. Esther Yann was nine when her darling grandmother was murdered. After years of hope and despair, Esther continues to push throu...

He abused her for years. He demeaned her to his children. He controlled her financially. He sent death threats. He acted the doting dad and husband in public. And still they blame her. Her name is Kristy Armstrong. She was only 36. Kristy's mum explains how hard it was for her daughter to disclose what he was doing, the hurdles Kristy faced when she reached out for support...

He abused her for years. He demeaned her to his children. He controlled her financially. He sent death threats. He acted the doting dad and husband in public. And still they blame her. Her name is Kristy Armstrong. She was only 36. Kristy's mum explains how hard it was for her daughter to disclose what he was doing, the hurdles Kristy faced when she reached out for support...

She was known for her beautiful voice, her ability to enchant an audience. She was an icon in her little town - the woman her rode her bicycle everywhere. She wasn't allowed to drive. It's easy to stop a woman leaving with her little children if you take away her independence. But she tried to leave - so many times. Then one day her daughter came home. The police were in the front yard. Her y...

She went to work like she always did. It was her dream job, working with children. She'd left her abusive partner and was rebuilding her life, piece by piece. He was waiting. After he killed her, he claimed she provoked him. A court let him get away with murder. Her name is Vicki Cleary. She was only 25. Elizabeth was only a child when her sister died. It's taken decades to find her voice, to...

He murdered her in the bedroom next to her sleeping baby. Now that little girl carries a sign with her mum's photo at rallies to end violence against women. Her mum's name is Katie Haley. Katie was only 29. Katie was - and always will be - the beating heart of her family. Her dad Boyd and little sister Bianca join She Matters to share her story. It's a story of hidden dangers, lingering guilt, pre...