Source : Perth Now news
The Western Australian Ombudsman is investigating a complaint from Virginia Giuffre’s US family over how police handled domestic violence matters shortly before her death.
Ms Giuffre took her own life while she was fighting domestic violence-related matters in court.
She died after years of tireless advocacy for herself and other victims of convicted sex traffickers Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Ms Giuffre alleged the sex offenders trafficked her to wealthy and prominent men across the globe, including former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The Royal Family member has repeatedly denied the claims and has never been charged with any criminal offences but was sued by Ms Giuffre for sexual abuse in 2021.
He reached an out-of-court settlement with her.
Ms Giuffre died six months before her powerful memoir Nobody’s Girl was released, documenting years of horrific abuse she suffered at the hands of her father before she was recruited by Epstein and Maxwell.
Despite being a powerful advocate for sexual abuse victims for many years, Ms Giuffre was accused of breaching a domestic violence-related order before her death.
Her family argue systematic failures let her down.
The WA Government watchdog confirmed it is investigating a complaint from Ms Giuffre’s family about the way police responded to Ms Giuffre’s circumstances.
An Ombudsman spokesman said they would “review the family’s concerns that she had been misidentified as a perpetrator of family violence when she was a victim of coercive control.”
In June, her brother and sister-in-law Skye and Amanda Roberts told ABC Perth they wrote to the coroner outlining the events that led up to Ms Giuffre’s death and why they needed further consideration.
“They did reach out with their condolences, and they were very responsive in taking into what we said into consideration,” Mr Roberts said.
“They have not come with a formal review or action with her passing yet, they stated that it could take some more time, they are still waiting for police reports.”
The family’s request was supported by domestic violence researchers and advocates who also wrote to the coroner calling for an inquest.
“The only thing that’s unusual about this is the fact that there’s documentation leading up to her death that we can use so that thousands and thousands of other women and children can be saved moving forward,” Mr Roberts said.
“That’s what Virginia would want, is a thorough investigation into the systematic failures in Australia, here in the United States, (and) across the UK.
“The systematic failures that have happened to sexual abuse … and domestic violence victims time and time again.”
Lifeline: 13 11 14.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, the WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre on 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
If you or someone you know needs help, phone SANE Australia Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).
