John Setka’s estranged wife Emma Walters seeks SA intervention order to protect herself from ‘abuse’
The estranged wife of controversial union leader John Setka has requested an emergency court hearing to protect herself from the convicted harasser.
SA News
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The estranged wife of controversial union leader John Setka has requested an emergency court hearing to seek a South Australian intervention order to protect her from the “abuse” from the convicted harasser.
Emma Walters told The Advertiser she feared for her safety due to what she claimed to be ongoing “coercive control” from the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union heavyweight.
She said she has been living in crisis accommodation in Adelaide for five weeks after she fled the family home in Melbourne.
Ms Walters said she had already been forced to move address in Adelaide after Mr Setka – whose takeover of the SA branch of the union has raised concerns it would become more militant and raise building costs – claimed to know her first place of residence.
She said she feared he would find her again.
“Last week, he made it quite clear that he knew where (I was) residing,” she said. “So, yeah, it’s quite traumatic.”
Ms Walters said a nationally-recognised intervention order issued in Victoria was already in place, but SA Police had told her it would not be able to prosecute if she made complaints.
She said the need to address that issue by applying for a South Australian order in the Adelaide Magistrates Court was made more urgent when Mr Setka indicated he would be travelling to Adelaide this week.
“I’m living in a situation where, you know, I have to get up the courage to go to the local shops to get food,” she said.
“I’m seeking an order that’s to be made in South Australia, in this jurisdiction, to protect (me).”
Ms Walters said she was trying to move forward with her life, but “can’t see a road out”.
“I just have to keep taking the steps, any steps I can to protect (myself), to free (me) from the coercive control and the abuse,” she said.
“I’m hopeful (I) can forge a life where (I am) not a trembling mess living in fear.”
Mr Setka has repeatedly denied any allegations of domestic abuse.
In 2019, he faced Melbourne Magistrates Court over a series of abusive text messages.
He pleaded guilty to harassing his wife and was placed on a one-year good behaviour bond.
He was also ordered by the court to complete a men’s behavioural program but Ms Walters said he had not done so.
“At the moment because he is incapable of having a conversation that isn’t controlling … isn’t about trying to find (my) location and isn’t about saying nasty words about me,” she said.
Mr Setka has been contacted for comment.
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