Allison Baden-Clay will become the face of family violence campaign

SHE died at the hands of her cheating husband after enduring years of emotional abuse. Now Allison Baden-Clay’s legacy will help save lives.

29/04/2012 NEWS: Missing person Allison Baden- Clay - taken from flyer. M12822890

ALLISON Baden-Clay will become the face of family violence in a new campaign to reduce the shocking rate of murders in the home.

A foundation to be launched this week in the mum-of-three’s name will educate people about warning signs of emotional and physical abuse.

It has the support of her family and big name backing, with former governor-general Dame Quentin Bryce to be the patron.

The foundation will work with Queensland family violence campaigners and Australian of the Year Rosie Batty.

SPECIAL FEATURE: The Baden-Clay story

Allison’s cousin Jodie Dann, a family violence advocate, said the tragic case should be recognised for what it was.

“It is the definition of domestic violence – the murder of a woman by her husband in her home,” Ms Dann said.

“There are warning signs people can look out for to prevent these crimes from happening.

“Family abuse isn’t always violence. It’s about power and control and psychological and emotional abuse.”

Meena Narayanan: the Singaporean student, 27, was stabbed to death in Upper Mt Gravatt in March 2014. Senthill Kumar Arumugam, who allegedly claimed he had a relationship with her, has been charged with her murder.

Sherelle Locke, 23, was stabbed to death at Boronia Heights in February, 2014. Her stepfather is charged with her murder.

Of the 56 murders in the state last financial year, 32 were related to domestic or family violence, latest figures from the Queensland Homicide Victims’ Support Group show.

Almost one in every two murders in Queensland in the past eight years has been linked to family or domestic violence.

Allison was a university graduate, former Miss Brisbane, learned six languages and achieved career success before marrying Gerard Baden-Clay, the great-grandson of Scouts founder Lord Baden-Powell.

The couple had three children but behind the facade of a happy marriage, Allison had become increasingly isolated from family and friends.

Her husband’s high-profile trial last year for her murder did not feature evidence of physical violence but did include details of longstanding emotional abuse.

While waging multiple affairs he had criticised his wife’s appearance, parenting skills and battles with depression.

Family members and friends were concerned he was listening to her conversations via a baby monitor and controlling his daughters with field signals.

Allison’s family has since been inundated with messages from women who had left abusive relationships as a result of the case. “I only survived because I saw myself in Allison,” one woman told the family.

The Allison Baden-Clay Foundation will be officially launched on Friday to coincide with Strive to be Kind Day, which will see Brisbane’s Story Bridge lit up in yellow and community and school groups wear her favourite colour in her memory.

Anyone experiencing domestic and family violence can get help by calling 1800 737 732 (1800 RESPECT)