Frank Mullane: how the murder of his sister and nephew changed his life and purpose

Julia Pemberton was terrorised for 14 months by her husband before he shot her and their son dead. In the 18 years since, her brother has devoted his life to preventing similar crimes and supporting other families

Frank Mullane, CEO of AAFDA — helping families after fatal domestic abuse. Picture: @FMullaneAAFDA

The first time Frank Mullane’s sister Julia confided that her marriage was unhappy, that her husband of 23 years was controlling and abusive, and that she intended to ask for a divorce, Mullane responded in what he now calls “a John Wayne kind of way”.

“I asked: ‘When can I give him a thump?’” he recalls.