Hanson says domestic violence a ‘two-way street’
Pauline Hanson has declared domestic violence is a “two-way street” after being asked to condemn violence against women.
Women are also responsible for abuse, the One Nation leader told Brisbane radio on Wednesday when asked to send messages to men who become angry and harm their partners.
Hanson told 4BC: “It’s wrong, but it’s also a two-way street. But I’m not saying it’s just men…women can lose their cool too.”
“Society is under a lot of pressure… I think everyone is sitting on a ticking time bomb today because of the high cost of living and people having to pay the bills, the tension, or what happens to kids these days if you lose your job or your kids, everyone is under so much pressure and it’s really hard. I don’t think we’re communicating enough with each other.”
Women who experience abuse should leave the relationship, Hanson said.
“Domestic violence is a scourge but sometimes look, I won’t go into detail but I’ve lived it in my life and I feel like if you’re not in a home where you feel safe, if you feel like you don’t want to be there, then you shouldn’t put up with it. And if these women are being abused by men there, then don’t put up with it. That’s what I’m saying.”
Advocates for women’s safety warn that there are many reasons why a person may feel unable to leave abusive relationships due to fear of retaliation or financial exploitation.
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures for 2024-25 showed 78 per cent of domestic and family violence offenders were male and their average age was 35.
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Brittany Busch is the federal politics correspondent for The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
