12 hours ago
‘Blamed myself': Sussan Ley reveals she has experienced coercive control
Liberal leader Sussan Ley has revealed she has experienced domestic violence in the form of coercive control in her life vowing she 'understands the pain' it causes families.
Conceding the Liberals 'got smashed' the last election, Ms Ley has vowed to reconnect with women and young voters to rebuild the pathway to government.
In a highly personal speech at the National Press Club, Ms Ley has revealed she had experienced coercive control in a previous relationship and wanted to tackle the scourge of domestic violence.
Coercive control is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.
Examples include making threats, isolating you from friends and family, monitoring you via online communication tools or spyware repeatedly putting you down, such as saying you're worthless, humiliating, degrading or dehumanising you or controlling your finances.
'I want the women of Australia to hear me when I say to them, as a national leader, I understand the fear you feel when you go for a walk alone,' the new Liberal leader said.
'Because I have felt that fear too. I understand the pain that comes with coercion and control because I have felt that pain too.
'I understand what it's like when you blame yourself for the actions of others. Because I have blamed myself too.'
Ms Ley, 63, the first female leader of the Liberal Party in Australian history, said she would 'never let domestic and family violence fall down the list of priorities'.
'We need new approaches, stronger partnerships, greater resources, and absolute resolve. We need men's groups to step up, because men's health policy is women's safety policy,' she said.
'The scale of loss Australia has seen from domestic and family violence is unacceptable.'
Asked if she had first-hand experience with domestic violence, Ms Ley replied that, 'many people have told me their personal stories and I have identified with them'.
'As Liberals, we'll always stand up for women and children,' she said.
'The Liberal Party I lead will work constructively on our country's greatest national shame, family and domestic violence.
'One in two women has experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime.
'From the age of 15, one in three women has experienced violence and one in six have experienced physical or sexual abuse.
'Last term, I stood in the Parliament and I read out the names of women who had lost their lives in just one year. These women are not just statistics.
'They are mothers, daughters, friends. They had hopes and dreams.'
Vow to tackle 'addictive' social media
Accusing social media giants including Facebook and TikTok of 'peddling addictive technology to children' she also warned that there was a case for stronger government intervention.
'Another area that demands stronger government intervention is the protection of our children from devices and technology. The rise of digital technology and social media has changed the world and unlocked so much potential,' she said.
'But in opening those doors, strangers have unfortunately been let into the lives of our children. We have allowed some of the smartest people in the world to make billions of dollars by peddling addictive technology to children.
'And it's shortening their childhoods. Parents need the government in their corner to help fight this fight.'
She also raised concerns over the rise of deep fake pornography.
'We're seeing AI technology commoditise our kids and deep fakes ruin the lives of women.
'Prime Minister, when it comes to standing up for women and children, I'm ready to work with you.'
