Western Australia's Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister, Jessica Stojkovski, has underscored the critical need to address the state's alarming rates of family violence.

This emphasis on action comes as the state reflects on the one-year anniversary of the tragic murders of Jennifer and Gretl Petelczyc, which were committed by Mark Bombara in a desperate attempt to reconnect with his estranged family.

In response to the ongoing crisis, the first phase of the state's education campaign on domestic violence garnered an impressive 7.8 million views, with a second phase currently underway.

Following the Petelczyc murders, WA Police have revamped their training protocols for handling domestic violence cases, aiming to enhance their effectiveness in such sensitive situations.

The Western Australian government is also planning to criminalize coercive control, aligning with measures already enacted in Queensland and New South Wales, although a specific timeline for implementation has yet to be established.

Stojkovski has indicated that the government aims to pass relevant legislation by the end of their term in 2029, but she emphasizes that community education is paramount over hastily enacted laws.

In a recent interview, Stojkovski recounted a harrowing emergency call from a child who witnessed domestic violence, illustrating the profound trauma associated with such incidents.

She also acknowledged the necessity for ongoing discussions about domestic violence, asserting that these conversations can foster greater awareness and encourage more victims to report their experiences.

Statistics paint a grim picture, revealing that in Australia, a woman dies from domestic violence every nine days, with Western Australia recording the second-highest rate of this crime in the nation.

Ariel Bombara, the ex-wife of the perpetrator, has shared her personal journey of transforming trauma into advocacy, aiming to raise awareness and promote prevention of domestic violence.