3-minute read
24 Apr 2026
Beyond the headlines. The hidden reality of gender based violence in Victoria.
It’s encouraging to see important, public-interest journalism from The Age shining a light on the realities of gender-based violence through a perspective we rarely hear – that of forensic pathologists.
The article ‘Cases that stay with you forever’ was published by The Age on 19 April 2026, and VIFM’s forensic pathologists, Associate Professor Joanna Glengarry, Dr Heinrich Bouwer and Dr Paul Bedford reveal the hidden toll and enduring impact of gender based violence through their work.
It explores the personal experiences of our clinicians who encounter the consequences of violence at its most final stage. Their work goes far beyond determining cause of death; it often reveals patterns of harm, coercion and abuse that were hidden, minimised, or never fully understood during a person’s life.
“What we see in the mortuary is only the final chapter – the real tragedy is how often the warning signs were there long before, but went unseen or unspoken. And it’s up to us to tell the story of what happened.”
Associate Professor Joanna Glengarry | Head of Head of Forensic Pathology Services | Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.
A confronting theme is the gap between what is lived and what is recognised. While some cases draw national attention, many do not. Behind closed doors are stories of sustained violence that never reach the headlines and, in some cases, are not fully captured in official data.
The statistics underscore the scale of the issue. In Australia, a woman is killed approximately every 10–11 days by a current or former partner. In Victoria alone, more than 90,000 family violence incidents are recorded each year. Women are disproportionately the victims, and there is increasing recognition that family violence can also be a contributing factor in some suicides – meaning the true toll is likely higher than we understand.
Equally challenging is what this reveals about attitudes. Research suggests that a significant minority of Australians still view domestic violence as a “normal” response to stress – a reminder that cultural change remains as critical as policy and enforcement.
This reporting does more than inform – it challenges us. It calls on all of us to be more aware, to ask difficult questions, and to act when something doesn’t feel right. Early intervention and community awareness can save lives.
Congratulations to The Age for bringing these difficult but essential perspectives into the public conversation. Stories like this help ensure that those who have lost their lives are not reduced to statistics – and that the realities behind them are neither hidden nor ignored.
The work highlighted in this article reflects the broader role of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. Alongside forensic pathology, its Clinical Forensic Medicine services division supports victim-survivors of violence and sexual assault, conducting examinations and providing expert medical evidence to assist the justice system. This work is critical not only in documenting harm, but in supporting individuals through some of the most difficult moments of their lives and helping ensure accountability. You can read more about VIFM’s approach to Clinical Forensic care here.
If you or anyone you know has been impacted by this article and needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
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