The tragic death of Czarina Tumaliuan at the hands of her husband Jesse James on 27 March, in their Werribee home, is a horrifying reminder of Australia’s relentless and systemic domestic violence crisis. Despite billions of dollars invested in services, this tragedy underscores the glaring gaps that cannot be closed by funding alone.
Through interviews with several neighbours, a disturbing picture has emerged. Two female neighbours heard Czarina’s screams that morning but didn’t call Triple Zero. One was feeding her baby, the other preparing breakfast. In the end, it was Jesse James himself who made the emergency call, standing at the front door with blood stains on his shirt.
What is even more alarming are the red flags that were visible long before Czarina’s murder. Some neighbours were aware of prior incidents, and Czarina had a full Intervention Order (IVO) in place since last year. Jesse James had even breached the order, leading to a three-month imprisonment. One neighbour recalled seeing him and one of their children entering the marital home with food—another clear violation.
Adding to the tragedy is the revelation that Jesse’s own parents had contacted the Philippine Consulate in Melbourne, urging intervention to get their son into rehabilitation for drug addiction. This shows a broader, interconnected failure—not just of legal enforcement, but of community systems and international family support mechanisms.
This case points to several systemic issues that need urgent attention:
- Lack of community awareness, particularly within multicultural communities, about the nature and signs of family violence.
- Inadequate safety planning and enforcement by police and service providers, particularly in shared spaces, where victims are still vulnerable.
- The questionable effectiveness of IVOs as deterrents, especially when breaches do not trigger immediate, stronger consequences.
- Weak coordination between services and communities, where communication gaps result in dangerous oversights.
The Filipino community in Victoria raised the alarm nationally on domestic violence 25 years ago. Yet it took until 2015 for the Victorian Government to undertake a Royal Commission Inquiry into Family Violence. Only then did substantial government commitment follow, with $2.9 billion invested between 2015 and 2020, and another $238.2 million in the 2020–21 budget. Since then, funding has increased annually to support services and programs for victims. And still, Filipino and other multicultural women remain disproportionately at risk.
According to Our Watch, one woman is killed each week by a current or former partner. Among them, an estimated 51 Filipino women have lost their lives in domestic violence incidents in Australia since 1987—an appalling statistic that demands urgent and specific action.
The government continues to underestimate the complexity of changing entrenched attitudes and behaviours, especially within multicultural settings. Cultural norms, shame, stigma, and isolation all play a role in keeping victims silent and communities inactive.
What we need now is not just more services, but deep, grassroots community engagement. Education must start at the family level and encompass everyone: men and women, young and old, LGBTQIA+ individuals and those living with disabilities. Local councils must step up to lead and fund these initiatives, ensuring they are culturally informed, survivor-centred and long-term.
The Filipino community led the country in exposing the realities of family violence more than three decades ago. It’s time we listen again—and act decisively to prevent more senseless deaths like Czarina’s.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, contact any of the following hotlines:
- Multicultural Helpline 1300 133 335
- Safe Steps 1800 015 188
- 1800RESPECT (24/7) 1800 737 732
- InTouch 1800 755 988
- The Orange Door (in your neighbourhood)
Melba Marginson is Chairperson of The Silent Witness Network, a former Victorian Multicultural Commissioner and 2014 AFR & Westpac ‘100 Australian Women of Influence’ award recipient. She was inducted into the First Women’s Honour Roll at the celebration of the Centenary of Federation in 2001 in Victoria.
