GLOBAL - Daniel Billings, 30, has pleaded guilty to the murder of his former partner, 28-year-old childcare educator Molly Ticehurst, in a case that has galvanized Australia and intensified a national campaign against domestic and gender-based violence. The plea was entered on Friday, November 14, 2025, via audio-video link at Forbes Local Court in New South Wales (NSW).

Billings, who is incarcerated in the supermax wing at Goulburn jail, also admitted to three other charges, including animal cruelty. In exchange for the guilty plea on the murder charge, twelve other charges, including several for sexual assault and stalking, were dropped. The admission of guilt concludes more than a year of court proceedings that were repeatedly delayed, causing significant distress to Ticehurst's family.

Molly Ticehurst was found dead in her home in Forbes, a town in central-western NSW, in the early hours of Monday, April 22, 2024. Her death was particularly shocking as Billings had been released on bail just a fortnight prior, despite facing serious charges of raping and stalking her. An interim apprehended violence order was also in place to protect Ticehurst at the time of her death.

The case sparked widespread public outrage and exposed critical failings in the justice system, leading to significant legal reforms in NSW. Dubbed "Molly's Law" by advocates, the changes include stripping court registrars of the power to grant bail in serious domestic violence cases, introducing tougher "show cause" requirements for bail applications, and mandating electronic monitoring for some accused offenders. Ticehurst's family has been at the forefront of the campaign, arguing the system that was meant to protect her had ultimately failed.

A National Crisis with Global Resonance

The murder of Molly Ticehurst became a flashpoint in a year marked by a horrifying surge in violence against women in Australia. In April 2024, the Australian Prime Minister declared the issue a "national crisis." According to data compiled by Australian Femicide Watch, 101 women were killed in violent incidents in Australia in 2024, a significant increase from 74 in 2023. The Australian Institute of Criminology also noted a 28% increase in intimate partner homicides in a single year. These statistics have fueled nationwide protests and demands for systemic change.

This crisis is not unique to Australia. The struggle against gender-based violence (GBV) is a pressing global issue with devastating local consequences in Kenya. According to a joint report by Africa Uncensored and Odipo Dev, Kenya recorded its highest-ever annual toll of femicide in 2024, with at least 170 women killed. This figure represents a nearly 80% increase from the 95 cases recorded in 2023. Data from a 2022 national survey indicated that approximately one-third of Kenyan women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence.

Organizations in Kenya, such as the Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC) at the Nairobi Women's Hospital, Usikimye, and the Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW), are on the front lines of this epidemic. GVRC reports receiving around 4,000 GBV cases monthly, a number that highlights the scale of the challenge. These organizations provide critical services including medical treatment, psychosocial support, legal aid, and safe houses for survivors.

The Path Forward

In Australia, the guilty plea from Daniel Billings marks a significant step towards justice for Molly Ticehurst. The case will now proceed to the NSW Supreme Court for arraignment and sentencing. However, for both Australia and Kenya, the broader fight against gender-based violence requires sustained and systemic action far beyond the courtroom.

In response to public pressure, both governments have initiated new measures. The Australian government has committed to a National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032. In Kenya, President William Ruto established a task force to address GBV, though advocates remain watchful of its effectiveness. The parallels between the tragic death of Molly Ticehurst and the rising femicide rates in Kenya underscore a shared, urgent need for robust legal protections, adequately funded support services, and a societal shift to dismantle the deep-rooted misogyny that fuels such violence.