Pauline Hanson’s controversial comments on domestic violence spark backlash
Consensus Summary
Pauline Hanson’s comments labeling domestic violence a 'two-way street' and advising women to 'not put up with' abuse sparked widespread backlash from advocates and politicians in July 2026. The controversy followed the killings of four women in four days earlier that month, renewing national debate on violence against women. Hanson, who referenced her own past experience, faced criticism for shifting blame away from perpetrators, with figures like Brittany Higgins and Tanya Plibersek condemning her remarks as victim-blaming. Data cited across sources showed a 71% rise in the cost of leaving domestic violence from 2016 to 2026, with costs exceeding $7,000, and 38 women lost to femicide in 2026 alone. Advocates highlighted the dangers of leaving abusive relationships, with one woman killed every 11 days in 2024-25, while Hanson’s past statements, including claims that women fabricate abuse allegations, were also scrutinized.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Four women were killed in four days earlier this month (July 2026)
- 38 Australian women have been lost to femicide in 2026
- The cost of leaving domestic violence rose from $4,098 in 2016 to $7,017 in 2026 (a 71% increase)
- Pauline Hanson described domestic violence as a 'two-way street' and told women not to 'put up with' abuse
- Tarang Chawla’s sister Nikita was murdered by her partner in 2015 at age 23
- Pauline Hanson referenced her own experience of domestic violence while making her comments
- Brittany Higgins condemned Hanson’s comments, calling them 'atrocious' and victim-blaming
- Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek criticized Hanson’s comments, stating they send a message that violence is victims’ fault
- One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce was also pressed on domestic violence and said losing control is 'disgraceful'
- The cost of leaving domestic violence was cited as exceeding $7,000 in 2026, up 71% from 2016
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Roughly 25% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner, compared with 7.3% of men (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data)
- About 620,000 Queensland women have been subjected to abuse by an intimate partner or family member
- A royal commission into violence against women was called for after the recent killings
- Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin stated that thousands of recommendations from past inquiries already exist, and action is needed
- Hanson secured a controversial inquiry into the family court system in 2019, which women’s groups warned could benefit men’s rights activists
- In 2017, Hanson claimed her sons had domestic violence claims made against them 'that were not warranted'
- Minister for Women and Finance Katy Gallagher called Hanson’s comments 'ill-informed and dangerous'
- Hanson previously claimed women fabricate family violence complaints to keep children
- One woman was killed on average every 11 days and one man every 26 days by an intimate partner in 2024-25 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)
- Four in five domestic violence offenders are male, with a median age of 35 (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
- Sherele Moody of Australian Femicide Watch noted that 27 of the 38 femicide victims were killed by a current or former partner, son, or family member
- Hanson met with UK far-right figure Tommy Robinson, who has criminal convictions including assault of an off-duty police officer
- Hanson previously called for the Family Court to be abolished and replaced with a tribunal of peers
- Hanson relented to public pressure earlier this year regarding her stance on domestic violence
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC states four women were killed in four days earlier this month, while the Guardian and SMH/The Age mention two women and two teenage girls were killed in the same period
- The Guardian and SMH/The Age mention a femicide in May 2026, but the ABC does not reference this specific date
- The Guardian states Hanson secured a family court inquiry in 2019, while the SMH/The Age do not mention this specific year for that event
- The ABC and SMH/The Age mention a 71% rise in costs from 2016 to 2026, but the Guardian does not provide this specific statistic
Source Articles
Hanson labels domestic violence 'two-way street'
The One Nation leader said women should not 'put up with' domestic violence, as she highlighted the cost of living pressures on families.
Brittany Higgins accuses Pauline Hanson of victim-blaming for calling domestic violence a ‘two-way street’
One Nation leader criticised by advocates after telling women being abused: ‘don’t put up with it’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Pauline Hanson has described domestic violence as “wrong” but a “two-way street”, and that women being abused should not put up with it, drawing condemnation from advocates who have accused the One Nation leader of victim-blaming. On Wednesday, Hanson told radio station 4BC domestic v
Swift backlash after Hanson says domestic violence a ‘two-way street’
The One Nation leader was asked to condemn violence against women.
Swift backlash after Hanson says domestic violence a ‘two-way street’
The One Nation leader was asked to condemn violence against women.