Australia is reeling from the fallout of One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's divisive comments on domestic violence. In a move that has sparked widespread outrage among women's advocates and public figures, Hanson described domestic abuse as a 'two-way street', suggesting that women can also be perpetrators. The remarks have been met with condemnation from those who argue they perpetuate a victim-blaming culture and trivialise the scale of abuse faced by millions.
Brittany Higgins, executive director of the Vida Fund, took to social media to express her 'deep concern' over Hanson's comments. She pointed out that normalising such language is 'atrocious', particularly in a country where 44 women were killed at the hands of their partners or ex-partners last year alone. Higgins's words underscore the trepidation felt by advocacy groups, who fear that such statements may have far-reaching consequences for victims.
Tarang Chawla, an activist whose sister was murdered by her partner, echoed these sentiments. He highlighted that the responsibility for abuse rests squarely with the perpetrator and that leaving an abusive situation can be a perilous endeavour, often involving significant risks to one's safety. Chawla shared his sister's tragic story as a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence.
The Women's and Girls' Emergency Centre roundly condemned Hanson's comments, describing them as 'vile and shameful'. Nicole Yade, chief executive of the centre, expressed disappointment that Hanson failed to acknowledge the stark reality of family violence – namely that men overwhelmingly perpetrate abuse against women and children. Yade noted that Hanson's own experiences with domestic and family violence should have led her to offer empathy and understanding, rather than victim-blaming rhetoric.
This is not the first time Hanson has courted controversy on this issue. In 2019, she championed a parliamentary inquiry into the family court system, a move opposed by women's groups who feared it could be exploited by men's rights activists. At that time, Hanson claimed that women were fabricating violence complaints to gain an advantage in custody battles – a claim widely discredited by research but popular among certain quarters. Previously, she had stated her sons faced 'unwarranted' domestic violence claims, expressing sympathy for men in similar situations.