They say it takes seven attempts before a woman successfully leaves an abuser. She only made it to number six. Her name is Phoebe Handsjuk. She was only 24. Most know her as the woman at bottom of the rubbish chute. But Pheobe was so much more than the circumstances of her death. For 25 years, Phoebe's family have been trying to find out the truth of what happened that day. Her mum Natalie joins She Matters to about their fight for justice, her daughter's strengths, passions and vulnerabilities and her legacy. This episode discusses suicide, substance abuse, mental health, coercive control, domestic violence and contains a graphic description of death. This is Pheobe's story.
If you know anything, please call Crime Stoppers.
PHOEBE HANDSJUK MATTERS
This season of She Matters is supported by Verve Super, committed to women’s financial security and standing against violence in all its forms. She Matters is also proudly supported by Your One and Only.
Presenter: Sherele Moody
Executive Producer: Dash Made Studios
❤️ SUPPORT MY WORK
The RED HEART Campaign and Australian Femicide Watch are unfunded initiatives providing:
• Support for families of femicide
• Housing for women leaving violence
• Ethical media training for journalists
• Rallies, vigils, and public awareness events
• Documentation of women and children lost to violence
To help continue this vital work, please donate or buy a RED HEART t-shirt — 100% of proceeds fund efforts to save lives and end violence.
❤️ Donate: australianfemicidewatch.org/support
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If you need help:
❤️ 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732
❤️ Women’s Crisis Line – 1800 811 811
❤️ 13YARN – 13 92 76
❤️ Rainbow Helpline – 1800 497 212
❤️ Men’s Referral Service – 1300 766 491
❤️ MensLine – 1300 789 978
❤️ Lifeline (24 hours) – 13 11 14
Connect:
📱 Instagram / Facebook: @sherelemoodyfemicidewatch
🐦 X (Twitter): @ShereleMoody
📘 Facebook: The RED HEART Campaign
🎵 TikTok: @femicidewatchaustralia
🌐 Website: australianfemicidewatch.org
📧 Email: Sherele@AustralianFemicideWatch.org
Women in Australia retire with 23% less super than men — a real super gender gap. Our financial lives can be complex, and many of us don’t know who to turn to for support in a system not built with us in mind. That’s why Verve created a community for women, men and non-binary people who believe in closing the super gap.