The federal government should review Centrelink payment rates for women experiencing family violence, a coroner has recommended after a woman was killed trying to flee an abusive relationship.
Bekkie-Rae Curren, 28, died in a Melbourne hospital in December 2019, a week after she was violently assaulted by her partner Paul McDonough in western Victoria.
Ms Curren had spent months seeking help from family violence and housing support services in Warrnambool after disclosing McDonough's abuse and her fears he would kill her.
She was initially given a safety plan and three-nights' accommodation but ultimately ended up couch surfing with friends and returning to McDonough's place due to the lack of other options.
On November 26, neighbours saw Ms Curren and McDonough in a physical altercation where she was limping after he chased her down the street.
He was also seen throwing her into the house like a ragdoll before neighbours heard banging, yelling and thuds from inside the home.
The next morning, McDonough called triple zero from a payphone and told the operator there was a "lady that needs help" at his property.
Paramedics arrived and found Ms Curren lying naked and unconscious on a bed with significant injuries to her face, head and hands.
She was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital but died a week later.
McDonough handed himself in to police on advice from a friend and was originally charged with murder.
He ultimately pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was in 2023 sentenced to 11 years and six months behind bars.
Victorian State Coroner John Cain released his findings into Ms Curren's death and made six recommendations to state and federal governments.
He said the Commonwealth should review rates for income support payments, with a particular focus on the needs of women and children experiencing family violence.
Judge Cain noted Ms Curren had been receiving income support before her death and the current rates were significantly below the poverty line, creating additional barriers for victim-survivors trying to flee.
He also recommended the Victorian government commit to investing and establishing adequate crisis accommodation for women experiencing family violence.
"Family violence is the main reason why women and children leave their homes in Australia and is the primary reason women present for assistance at homelessness services," Judge Cain said.
"Demand for crisis accommodation for women escaping violence is unable to be met by Victoria's current number of designated crisis accommodation beds, resulting in housing and family violence services utilising motels and offering other ad-hoc accommodation arrangements."
He noted the government had advised there would be 35 family violence refuges across the state in 2025, with a capacity to support 197 households.
The state government should also consider reserving a portion of public housing stock for family violence perpetrators who have been removed from the family home to better protect women and children, Judge Cain said.
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