Hannah Clarke’s parents want Dan Andrews to criminalise coercive control

The grief-stricken parents of murdered mum Hannah Clarke are pushing for the Andrews government to criminalise coercive control, saying Victoria is lagging behind other states.

Hannah Clarke with her children Laianah, Aaliyah and Trey. Picture: Supplied

Murdered mum Hannah Clarke’s grieving parents have called on the Andrews government to criminalise coercive control, saying Victoria is lagging behind other states in taking action against the “insidious form of abuse”.

It’s been more than three years since the Brisbane mum and her young children were doused in petrol and the family car set alight in a deadly domestic violence attack by her estranged husband.

Hannah’s parents Lloyd and Sue Clarke. Picture: Dan Peled

The tragic murders reverberated all around Australia and now Sue and Lloyd Clarke are calling for coercive control to be criminalised as a stand-alone offence in Victoria.

They have appealed to Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes to take action, saying Victoria is the only state or territory that has no laws – or intention – to address the controlling behaviour.

But despite sending Ms Symes a letter requesting an urgent meeting more than two weeks ago they are still yet to receive a response.

“It is very, very hard emotionally and it wipes us out,” Mr Clarke exclusively told the Herald Sun.

“If speaking up means having coercive control laws in place in Victoria, which is behind other states and territories, it gives us strength.

“The thought that if we can save one more woman, then it is all worth it.”

White Ribbon Australia national director Allan Ball said the charity “unequivocally” supported the Clarke family’s plea, warning Victoria needed to get on board.

Hannah’s parents want coercive control criminalised. Picture: Supplied

“It’s creating a postcode lottery which means the level of protection offered to women depends on where they live and that’s not get enough,” he said.

“We cannot play Russian roulette with the lives of women and their children.

“This is a necessary change in policy across all of Australia.”

While the national conversation around domestic violence has progressed, the Clarke’s say coercive control – described as a pattern of controlling and manipulative behaviours – remains largely misunderstood.

Mr and Mrs Clarke didn’t know what coercive control was until their daughter Hannah and their grandchildren Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3, were murdered outside their home.

“All these experts started calling this thing textbook coercive control behaviour,” Ms Clarke said.

“We just knew he was doing mind games with us. We didn’t know it had a name and how dangerous it was.”

Mr Clarke added: “He sat at the bottom end of our street. He had his aunty’s car so we wouldn’t recognise him. He was hiding beside the house and he just ambushed her.

“If there had been laws in place, if he had a tracking device on for instance, there would have been big red flags, but it had no name.”

The Clarke’s have formed the foundation, Small Steps 4 Hannah and HALT, to push for coercive control legislation.

In their letter to Ms Symes, they wrote: “Attorney, we urge you to remedy this situation. Coercive control does not stop at the Murray River. It is a scourge on all societies, and one that civilised states must move to stamp out.”

Most Australian states and territories do recognise coercive control as abuse and address it through relevant orders and notices under civil law.

Photos of Hannah and her children Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey at their funeral. Picture: Dan Peled

In January, the Andrews government announced it had implemented all 227 recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence.

The Royal Commission did not recommend introducing specific offences based on available evidence at the time.

Mr Clarke said other states including Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia will have laws in place by the end of the year.

Shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien said the Coalition will work constructively on proposals to keep women safe from abusive relationships.

A government spokeswoman said the Victorian Family Violence Protection Act includes coercive behaviour in its definition of family violence.

“(This means) that coercive control can constitute a criminal offence in Victoria,” she said.

“We recognise there is a diversity of views on any legislative change in this area. Extensive consultation would be a key part of any further reform.”

Concerns have been raised that such laws could disadvantage Aboriginal women while also posing the issue of police misidentifying victim-survivors as perpetrators.

The Clarke’s will be guest speakers at the fundraising Brighton Lunch, this year dedicated to domestic and family violence, on Friday alongside former Australian of the Year Rosie Batty.