24/07/2026
It was very clear from Pauline Hanson's comments as well as other Australians supporting her comments that they are clearly uneducated on the topic of domestic violence. Please, if you are not educated on the topic
don't comment. You just make things worse. When a woman dies from domestic violence or her children see her murdered by their father, you have all supported this by your comments. People do not seem to understand the difference between relationships that have conflicts, unhealthy relationship relationships, toxic relationships and domestic violence. Please stop comparing relationships that are unhealthy to relationships that are abusive where women are treated like prisoners and women live in fear of their life, their children's life and their extended family's lives. This is not about arguments. This is not about tantrums. This is not about On and Off Relationships. This is the need to have power, control and dominance over a woman. For all those people backing Pauline Hanson's comments, I pray that you do not have a daughter, sister or mother who ends up in a DV relationship  because most women in their lifetime will end up in one.
I am so sorry for all the people who have lost a loved one due to domestic violence murder. It must be horrific to hear the comments of Pauline Hanson and her supporters.
There’s been a lot of discussion in the media lately about domestic and family violence, why women stay, and why women shouldn’t put up with it.
Here's what the evidence tells us:
Domestic and family violence is about power and control.
It often begins long before physical violence, through coercive control - isolation, intimidation, monitoring, financial abuse, threats, and restricting a person's freedom and independence.
In Australia, domestic and family violence is the number one driver of homelessness for women. Nearly half (45%) of all women and girls seeking refuge are fleeing domestic and family violence.
And for those who ask, "Why didn't she just leave?"
On average, women attempt to leave an abusive relationship seven times before they can leave permanently.
In an episode of our For Her, With Her podcast, DVConnect CEO Michelle Royes explained:
"On average it takes seven times to leave a domestically violent relationship. The statistics also are that you're most likely to die in the six months after leaving a relationship, so if you have to go through that heightened risk seven times, the stats on that are just mind blowing."
Leaving is often the most dangerous time because the person using violence is losing the power and control they have over their victim-survivor.
On average, a woman in Australia is killed by a current or former intimate partner every 11 days.
When we talk about domestic and family violence, we're not talking about relationship conflict. We're talking about a pattern of coercion, fear and control that can end in homelessness, serious injury, and, far too often, death.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation with Michelle Royes on our For Her, With Her podcast: https://wlsq.org.au/resources/podcast/
📚 Learn more about domestic violence and coercive control through our resources: https://wlsq.org.au/resources/?cats=domestic-violence,coercive-control&type=&pg=1
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, support is available:
🚨In immediate danger? Call 000
📱DVConnect (24/7): 1800 811 811
📱1800RESPECT (24/7): 1800 737 732
📱13YARN (24/7): 13 92 76 (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
⚖️Free DFV legal help – WLSQ’s Statewide Helpline: 1800 957 957 (Mon–Fri 9 AM–4:30 PM)
