Dispel DV myths: Prof

A CRIMINOLOGIST has applauded the raising of awareness around domestic violence but says more work is needed to support victims and dispel myths.

QUT Associate Professor Molly Dragiewicz said the question “why don’t women just leave abusive relationships?” needed to be tackled.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about domestic violence,” she said.

She said the violence often escalated when women left abusive relationships.

Devastating Gold Coast examples included the killings of Teresa Bradford, Karina Lock, Tara Brown and Fabiana Palhares.

“The assumption is, ‘well, why doesn’t she leave?’ when there’s all sorts of legitimate reasons for her not to leave, including lack of money, threats, and shared parenting time,” Prof Dragiewicz, who recently received a leadership award from Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast, said.

She said responses had improved on the Gold Coast but it was important support services were available for women.

“There’s a lot of stuff we can do to help,” she said.

“If we can understand the risk after separation we can protect those survivors.

“(Leaving) depends on the practical needs.

“”Unless you can meet basic needs you could be stuck just because you’re living in your car.”

Prof Dragiewicz said Gold Coast support services were beginning to work together, but that “a lot more needs to be done”. all