By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
NO LONGER wanting to stay silent in the shadow of their childhood friend’s death, two 20-year-old girls are speaking out against domestic violence.
Following reports this week that Pakenham mum Maddison Murphy-West was allegedly physically abused in the year before her mystery death in 2013, her friends have called on the council and mental healthcare professionals to attend a domestic violence rally in her honour.
In phone messages made public this week, Maddison reportedly told a friend she had been choked in front of her young son. The text messages, sent in September 2012, were said to be sent from Casey Hospital in Berwick where she was being treated for assault injuries.
Sarah Feubel, from Cranbourne, grew up around the corner from Maddison and quickly became close friends with her during their formative teenage years.
This week Sarah, along with another of Maddison’s friends Chantelle Beatty, has been feverishly contacting representatives from the City of Casey and the Domestic Violence Resource Centre as she organises a domestic violence rally to be held within the next few months.
Sarah said she wanted victims of domestic abuse to know that help was available and to understand where it can be found.
“Women involved in that (domestic abuse) feel scared to leave, especially when there’s a kid involved,” Sarah said.
“We wanted to hold a barbecue to welcome women going through it. I’ve asked a representative from the Cranbourne Community Centre if he could provide brochures for us.
“At first it (Maddison’s death) was too fresh in my mind to even consider something like this, but after reading the paper this week we wanted to make everyone aware.”
The body of 20-year-old Maddison was found at her Aherns Road home on 23 October last year. Police are investigating whether the crime scene was manipulated to look like suicide.
“I don’t think any of us have dealt with it in full yet. We don’t want the spotlight, we want to grieve,” Sarah said.
“When I visit her grave, I shouldn’t have to see my friend as a pile of dirt.”
Details for the domestic violence event will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
