More than 70 children have been killed by a parent post-separation, research shows
At least 71 children have died at the hands of a parent post-separation in Australia in the past 24 years, and an expert believes without real change there will be more.
Hannah Clarke and her children Aayliah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3, were killed by their husband and father Rowan Baxter last week. Picture: Facebook
When Hannah Clarke and her three children - Aayliah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3, were killed by her estranged husband Rowan Baxter last week, they became the 38th incident since 1996 where children were killed by their biological parent after the breakdown of a relationship.
Associate Professor at the University of South Australia Elspeth McInnes has been researching the number of incidents where children have been killed by a parent, and her research shows there have been 106 people, including adults, killed in such situations since 1996.
Associate Professor McInnes believes her research shows that the period where a relationship breaks down isn't only the most dangerous for the woman leaving the relationship, but also for her children.
"We know separation is the key point for escalation, as he loses control, he will increasingly seek to exercise different ways of control because they're moving out of traditional or known ways of control," she said.
"What happens in these cases is that children are an extension of control over the woman ... children become a tool of control and of course they're an instrument of revenge."
According to her research, 30 of the incidents have been at the hands of men and 8 at the hands of women.
Including the tragedy in Brisbane this year, 106 people have died in such incidents since 1996. The deaths are spread across 38 incidents - 30 at the hands of men and 8 at the hands of women. Seven of the incidents involved the deaths of other adults and just over half of the male perpetrators also suicided in the incidents.
READ MORE:
Associate Professor McInnes says her research shows a huge overhaul of the family law system is needed, with child protection units needed to be embedded in family courts, that assess the risks to children and make orders on that basis.
In her submission to the family law inquiry, Associate Professor McInnes also calls for safety reviews after such decisions are made.
She has also called for decisions made by the family court to prioritise the safety of children and adults over equal shared parenting responsibility.
Angela Lynch, chief executive of Women's Legal Services in Queensland, has travelled to Canberra this week to meet with politicians and call for them to take responsibility to change laws to keep women and children safe.
"They have a responsibility to do something and they have both legislative, policy and financial means at their disposal to respond to this crisis," Ms Lynch said.
The presumption of equal shared parental responsibility puts women escaping violence "on the back foot," she said, and needs top be scrapped.
"It establishes an overwhelming presumption toward contact rather than safety."
Ms Lynch also called for the family court system to introduce a process similar to those already in place in child protection agencies around the country, where a review process must be undertaken if there is a death in a case that has had contact with the court.
"If there's a death then the system would consider that and look at processes and policies that contributed to that death and should be improved."
She also said domestic violence and legal services desperately needed more resources, with women reporting an increase in fear and anxiety and threats, following the murders of Hannah Clarke and her children.
Ms Lynch and Associate Professor McInnes are both fearful that without change, more children will be killed by a parent in similar circumstances.
- If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au In an emergency, call 000.
- Lifeline 13 11 14