Lack of action is costing lives

Laws against domestic violence falls hopelessly short

Hannah Clarke with her child before her death.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: On 19th February, 2020, Hannah Clarke and her three young children were murdered by her ex-husband, Rowan Baxter in Brisbane.

Their horrific fiery deaths traumatised the nation.

Women and children continue to be victims of abusers who believe they are "above the law".

Governments, police and our court systems don't or won't fully appreciate the "coercive controlling " behaviour and misogyny at the root of all violence against women and children.

But ignorance is no excuse.

Legislation against "domestic violence", euphemism for "criminal assault", falls short, in a society based on historical stereotypes for gender roles and responsibilities. 

Family Court judges fail to comprehend the dynamics of relationships which force women and children to escape the control and traumas of angry despots, having little faith in a patriarchal society, expensive legal systems or a male-orientated police force, for protection.

Thus, granting "access" to violent men continues.

To our dismay, one familial homicide per week is the nation's average. 

"The evil of inaction, "[The Lucifer Effect", P. Zimbardo] collusion by political authorities, under-resourcing institutions set up to protect the powerless, denies victims equality, inclusion and respect automatically awarded to the powerful. Women who take the lead against sexism, the root of misogyny, are spurned by mainstream Australians.

No paper DVO can ultimately protect victims from men who feel disempowered.

With political "consideration" that "strangulation" and "coercive control " are criminal offences punishable by jail terms, women who cannot feel safe in their relationships, need powerful advocates in our institutions who truly comprehend this deadly threat to our nation.

The pandemic only exacerbates the threat.

E Rowe, Marcoola

Originally published as Lack of action is costing lives