Kardell Lomas’s heartbreaking apology to police is a moment that should shame all Australians

‘Kardell Lomas’s killing was not just a “DV death”. Its perpetrator was not only the man but the state that failed to protect her.’ Composite: Victoria Hart/Guardian design

Three months before Kardell Lomas and her unborn baby were killed in a horrific act of feminicide in Ipswich, she stood in the office of a support service trying to get away from the perpetrator, who was with her in the building.

Over the previous year Lomas had tried many times to get help. She had disclosed to another support service that she was suffering from brutal violence – including strangulation and threats to kill – and her partner was stalking her to the bathroom and other places, including to those same support service appointments. After her disclosures the violence escalated – the danger was growing.