Brittany Higgins slams Hanson's 'atrocious' victim-blaming on domestic violence

Former political staffer Brittany Higgins has sharply criticised One Nation leader Pauline Hanson for comments made on domestic violence, accusing her of normalising victim-blaming rhetoric. Speaking on Brisbane radio on Tuesday, Hanson described domestic violence as a 'two-way street' and suggested women should simply leave abusive relationships. Higgins, who became a prominent advocate for sexual assault survivors after her own high-profile case, called the remarks 'atrocious' and pointed to the 38 women already killed by intimate partners in Australia this year.

What Hanson said

During a radio interview, Hanson was asked about men who abuse their partners. She acknowledged that domestic violence is wrong but added that it is also a 'two-way street.' She then shared her personal experience, stating she had been through domestic violence herself, and advised that if women do not feel safe in a home, they should not put up with it. The phrase 'two-way street' implied that both partners may contribute to abuse, a concept widely rejected by domestic violence experts who note that power and control dynamics are not equal.

Higgins' condemnation

Brittany Higgins took to social media to denounce Hanson's comments, writing that phrases like 'mutual abuse,' 'two-way street,' and 'just leave' normalise victim-blaming rhetoric. She stressed that these ideas are particularly egregious given that 38 Australian women have already been killed in femicide this year. Higgins, whose own experience with sexual assault allegations against a former colleague sparked national debate on workplace safety, emphasised that suggesting women should simply leave ignores the complex barriers they face, including financial dependence, fear of escalation, and lack of safe housing.

Broader context of domestic violence discourse

Hanson's remarks have reignited debate about how domestic violence is discussed in public. Advocates argue that the 'two-way street' narrative diverts attention from perpetrators and places undue responsibility on victims. The statistic of 38 femicides serves as a stark reminder of the urgency of the issue. According to the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Network, the majority of domestic violence homicides are committed by male partners against female victims. Experts say that victim-blaming language can discourage survivors from seeking help and may even influence legal and policy responses.

Implications and next steps

The backlash against Hanson's comments is likely to fuel further calls for more sensitive public discourse on domestic violence. Support services and advocacy groups continue to push for education campaigns that debunk myths about mutual abuse. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, have previously condemned victim-blaming narratives, and this incident may intensify pressure on all parties to adopt consistent messaging. With figures like Brittany Higgins speaking out, the conversation around domestic violence remains at the forefront of national attention, underscoring the need for systemic changes rather than simplistic advice.