'THIS IS EVERYONE'S PROBLEM'

WE NEED A COLLECTIVE APPROACH TO THIS URGENT NATIONAL ISSUE

- Kylie Walters

TIME FOR CHANGE

After years of tireless campaigning by Sue and Lloyd Clarke, coercive control is now a criminal offence in Queensland.

The pair lost their daughter, Hannah, 31, and grandchildren Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and 3-year-old Trey in 2020. The family was killed in Brisbane by Hannah's estranged ex, Rowan Baxter, who had used coercive control to abuse Hannah for years.

As of May 26, it is illegal in that state for an adult to use abusive behaviours towards their current or former intimate partner, family member or informal carer with the intent to control or coerce them.

Convicted offenders face up to 14 years in jail.

“We weren't alone in this fight,” Lloyd said following the news. “Governments have acted, police have listened and more resources are on the way. Now, it's up to all of us - everyday Australians.”

On April 28, 2024, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined hundreds of thousands of people as they marched through the steets across the country in a rally that demanded an end to gender-based violence - something he admitted had become a “national crisis”. Just shy of one year later, three more women lost their lives in a 24-hour period.