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Family Of Teresa Bradford Calls For Urgent Domestic Violence Reform

The mother-of-four was murdered by her violent ex-partner earlier this year.
Facebook: Teresa Marie

In January, Teresa Bradford was murdered by her violent ex-partner, leaving behind four children.

Now, just three months after Bradford's death, her family has spoken to ABC's 7.30 about how the Government and the legal system failed to protect her.

"[The legal system] immensely, immensely failed. I'm beyond angry," her brother Darren O'Brien told 7.30.

The murder happened after David Bradford, Teresa's ex-partner had been released on bail. He had previously been convicted for a string of domestic violence incidents and was awarded bail despite police opposing the decision.

Teresa Bradford's estranged husband, David Bradford.
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Teresa Bradford's estranged husband, David Bradford.

Narelle O'Brien told the ABC: "It's disgusting, I don't know how they can justify it. Obviously he was a danger to the public. Why was he allowed out? I just don't understand the system."

Bradford's murder at the hands of a violent ex-partner isn't an isolated case. White Ribbon Australia reports that one woman every week is killed by her current or former partner.

In March, the Queensland governmentpassed reforms that ultimately aimed to prevent this from happening. The laws stated that a victim of domestic violence must be notified when their perpetrator is released from custody.

For Bradford's family however, this simply isn't enough.

Her family is fighting for 'Teresa's Law,' which would require all offenders of domestic violence to undergo compulsory mental health checks.

"We want Teresa's Law, which is that all offenders get mental health checks before they're even considered for bail," Mr O'Brien said.

This call is particularly pertinent in the Bradford case, as David Bradford committed suicide after murdering Teresa. The ABC also reports he was taking anti-depressant medication and had spoken of committing suicide in the time before he killed his ex-wife.

Darren O'Brian believes that the multiple attacks his sister endured were planned by her estranged partner. Bradford was attacked in November 2016 with tape, rope and knives, all purchased on a trip to a hardware store, taking their son with him.

"[Teresa's son] advised he'd actually gone to Bunnings with his father a week earlier [and] he had bought the rope and the duct tape and clear piping which he made the strangling device with" Mr O'Brian said.

With one in four children being exposed to domestic violence, 'Teresa's Law' will aims to improve the coordination between domestic violence courts, police and support services so the level of victim and and family protection is improved.

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