Two weeks ago, divisive News Corp columnist Miranda Devine penned an astonishingly provocative—even by Devine’s standards—column on domestic violence in Australia, and the risk of “demonising all men” amidst the debate on family violence and the safety of women.
This line in the column, in particular, triggered a hefty backlash online:
“If you want to break the cycle of violence, end the welfare incentive for unsuitable women to keep having children to a string of feckless men.”
The column also mentioned Australian Of The Year and staunch anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty – questioning Batty’s campaign for “respecting women”.
“Beginning as a diversion from the knighthood fiasco of January, it involved Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, who has become the untouchable expert on domestic violence….But how did the murder of a little boy by his mentally ill, drug-taking father become all about “respecting women”?
Rosie Batty, whose book A Mother’s Story has just been released, appeared on the TODAY show this morning, and responded to the column that sparked powerful responses with the #ThisIsNotAnUnsuitableWomen tag.
“I welcome Miranda to become more informed about the topic, perhaps she’d like to come out with me and talk to the people I talk to…she would be much more informed about her opinions, because I can tell her right now, wherever I go, there will be women—one in three women—affected by violence, across all suburbs, all professions, throughout Australia.”
“It comes in many forms – it’s not all about black eyes and broken bones” @RosieBatty1 joins us to discuss domestic violence in Aust #Today9
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) October 7, 2015
A Mother’s Story is available for purchase now.
Watch Rosie Batty’s interview with Lisa Wilkinson on TODAY in full here.
Domestic violence is never acceptable. If you or someone you know is experiencing physical or sexual abuse, calls can be made 24 hours a day on 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) to the National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line, or visit www.whiteribbon.org.au.
