‘Won’t let her be a statistic’: Shakira Robertson’s push for new family violence laws
Shakira Robertson refuses to let her mother become another domestic violence statistic after she was killed by her partner, launching a campaign for tougher vehicle-related violence laws. HER STORY
Shakira Robertson has one goal: to not let her mum become a statistic.
Ms Robertson’s mother, Jacqui Lee Purton, was run over and killed by her partner James Kenneth Austin in March 2023.
Austin was sentenced to 13 years jail over the mother-of-four’s death after pleading guilty to manslaughter.
He initially faced a murder charge to which he pleaded not guilty.
That charge was later withdrawn.
Amid her grief, Ms Robertson is now campaigning the Tasmanian government to impose stronger penalties on people who use vehicles as weapons.
“Jacqui’s Law” would see the Tasmanian criminal code amended to impose harsher sentences on offenders who use vehicles to threaten, harm or intimidate their victims, as well as the classification of vehicles as weapons, on par with firearms.
“When my mum died and I saw her name in the headlines I became so angry, because to the world she had just become a statistic,” the 23-year-old told the Mercury.
“For me, my siblings and my family, my mum was so much more than that.
“I wrote her a letter which I put in her coffin when she passed, and in that letter I told her, I would not let her name become a statistic.
“I would constantly keep saying it and do everything I can to try and creative a positive change in her name.”
Under current Tasmanian law, a person who uses a car to harm, threaten or kill is charged under existing offense like dangerous driving, manslaughter or murder, rather than a dedicated “vehicle-as-weapon” offence.
Ms Robertson launched the campaign last week with the help of Sherele Moody, founder of Australian Femicide Watch and family violence support and information service, the RED HEART Campaign.
Ms Moody said the use of cars in family violence incidents was common.
“As an anti-violence and femicide researcher, I hear many stories each week of women who have experienced extreme trauma by aggressive partners using vehicles as weapons,” she said.
“The criminal code needs to treat vehicles like guns.
“If a person fires a rifle into a crowd and they kill someone, they are charged with murder and sentenced appropriately.
“If a person uses their vehicle as a weapon, the offender must be held to the same standard.”
As of Saturday, more than 3600 people have signed a change.org petition supporting the Jacqui’s Law proposed legislation.
“The amount of support from the public has been incredible,” Ms Robertson said.
“At this stage, it’s a very new campaign, but over the next few weeks we’re going to reach out to local politicians and hopefully gain some face-to-face meetings so we can talk about Jacqui’s Law.”
Tasmania Police’s annual report shows the number of family violence incidents increased by more than 1000 in 2023-2024 compared to the previous year.
There was also an increase in the number of family violence order breaches.
A Tasmanian government spokesperson said an upcoming discussion paper on family violence reform would provide the opportunity for ideas like Jacqui’s Law to be brought forward and considered.
“The discussion paper will also include areas such as coercive control, misidentification, and image-based abuse,” they said.
“The Tasmanian Government is committed to tackling the scourge of family violence and holding perpetrators to account.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT. For counselling, advice and support for men who have anger, relationship or parenting issues, call the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
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