Woman charged with rape, inciting attempted suicide of former partner

CONTENT WARNING: This story refers to suicide and domestic and family violence.

A Belconnen woman who allegedly incited her then-partner’s attempted suicide before reportedly assaulting her has been freed from custody.

An ACT Policing spokesperson said the alleged offending occurred between 2018 and 2021.

In 2018, a 34-year-old woman allegedly told her partner she should kill herself. Police say the partner was admitted to hospital that day after attempting suicide.

Later that year, the woman allegedly sexually assaulted her then-partner and started threatening her through a messaging app.

During an argument in 2021, she allegedly strangled the other woman during an argument.

The partner gave statements to officers in March 2024 and an investigation was started.

On Thursday (20 March), the 34-year-old woman was arrested at a Belconnen residence and charged with inciting suicide, having sexual intercourse without consent and strangling another person.

Region has chosen not to name the woman to avoid identifying the alleged victim. Police say they had been in a relationship between 2015 and 2022.

During a bail hearing in the ACT Magistrates Court, the timing of when the woman’s passport should be handed in, if she was granted bail, was discussed.

Prosecutor Gretta Cuthel did not oppose bail but asked the court to make the woman hand in her passport before being released on bail rather than having her hand it in afterwards.

“It is not without precedent that someone may seek to leave the country by that time,” she said.

The woman’s lawyer, Legal Aid’s Alana Clarke, said the woman “does have ties” to Australia and told the court the woman’s wife could collect the passport and bring it to court.

She also said her client had not had contact with the alleged victim since 2022.

Magistrate James Lawton agreed with the defence’s submission that the 34-year-old’s wife could hand over the passport and granted bail once it had been surrendered.

The woman will next face court on 29 April. No pleas were entered.

If this story has raised any issues for you, you can call Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line on 13 11 14.

1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can also be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.

You can also submit an online report about a historical sexual assault allegation for incidents that occurred more than six months ago.