Criminologist shares message about alarming issue: 'That is just disgraceful’
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Content Warning: This article discusses domestic violence and murder, which may be distressing to some readers. Discretion is advised.
The stark reality of gendered violence has sparked a powerful and emotional outcry from Australians demanding immediate and effective action.
The issue, which has long simmered beneath the surface of our society, has once again been thrust into the spotlight by a passionate plea from a criminologist and former police officer that has resonated with many across the country.
During an episode of Q&A, a panel of politicians, including Agriculture Minister Murray Watt, Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie, and New South Wales Opposition Leader Mark Speakman, received a fervent critique from Vincent Hurley, a former NSW Detective and Criminologist at Macquarie University.
Hurley's impassioned speech called out the panel for what he perceived as their prioritisation of political point-scoring over the urgent need to address the violence against women crisis.
Hurley's frustration was palpable as he accused the politicians of 'bickering amongst themselves'.
‘That just goes to show the point that you are overlooking the murder of women out here. You're putting politics above these people behind me. How dare you?’ Hurley exclaimed.
'How dare you go into politics in an environment like this, when one woman is murdered every four days, and all you two can do is immediately talk about politics?'
‘That is just disgraceful. Is it any wonder frontline services aren't getting the money that they want?'
‘How long do we have to listen to politicians like you and the rest of you high-horsing about, "We have to have a royal commission," "We have to do this". Everyone here knows what the answer is,' he continued.
The criminologist's recommendations were clear and direct: men with any history of domestic violence should not be granted bail.
'They should not get bail. At all. There will be people who vehemently disagree about the rule of law, about the right of individuals, about the innocence before guilty,’ he said.
'But what does society want? We want those poor girls up there from those high schools…One in every four of them [is] likely to be sexually assaulted after the age of 15. And you all sit here and pontificate about what we're doing.'
Hurley called to redefine domestic violence incidents as 'intimate terror acts' and to allocate more funding to frontline services.
'There's enough legislation there for police to go and arrest them. New South Wales Police have had a pro-arrest policy for at least 30 years,' he said.
'And we cannot arrest our way out of this. But for the immediate concern of the women here, they need to have that offender taken off the street to give them breathing space to get away to a women's refuge.’
'Over the decades, all governments of all persuasions, state and federal, you have patient-dumped people with mental health and drug issues onto the street, which is the underlying cause of domestic violence.’
'It is more than just domestic violence. You don't need a royal commission. That money needs to go into frontline services—now,’ he expressed.
The urgency of Hurley's message is underscored by the harrowing statistics and recent tragic events.
In 2024 alone, 28 women have allegedly died at the hands of men.
Among these cases is the alleged murder of Molly Ticehurst, 28, by Daniel Billings, 29, which has become a focal point in the ongoing conversation about domestic violence in Australia.
Despite the federal government's announcement of a $925 million investment over five years to establish the Leaving Violence Program, advocates like Delia Donovan, CEO of Domestic Violence NSW, argued that the funding falls short of what is needed to address the immediate crisis.
‘I am frustrated at today's announcement that does very little to address the current emergency. Services are unable to meet demand, resources are over-stretched, and women are [allegedly] being murdered,' she said.
'Where is the funding for our specialist domestic and family services? In April of this year, the federal government spent $4-5 billion upgrading a fleet of six submarines.’
'Why are women and children not seeing this type of investment in their safety?'
Domestic Violence NSW has recommended an investment of $145 million to meet the current demand.
You can watch Q&A’s segment below:
Credit: @abcnews_au / Instagram
You may check this article written by member @Joy Straw, a retired psychologist, on how to help someone who has experienced domestic violence.
You can also ask Joy a question here.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out for help.
Contact 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732 or the NSW Domestic Violence Line at 1800 65 64 63 for support.
You may also visit this list of mental health helplines for immediate support.
The stark reality of gendered violence has sparked a powerful and emotional outcry from Australians demanding immediate and effective action.
The issue, which has long simmered beneath the surface of our society, has once again been thrust into the spotlight by a passionate plea from a criminologist and former police officer that has resonated with many across the country.
During an episode of Q&A, a panel of politicians, including Agriculture Minister Murray Watt, Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie, and New South Wales Opposition Leader Mark Speakman, received a fervent critique from Vincent Hurley, a former NSW Detective and Criminologist at Macquarie University.
Hurley's impassioned speech called out the panel for what he perceived as their prioritisation of political point-scoring over the urgent need to address the violence against women crisis.
Former NSW Detective and Criminologist Vincent Hurley lashed out at politicians during Q&A’s episode. Credit: @abcnews_au / Instagram
Hurley's frustration was palpable as he accused the politicians of 'bickering amongst themselves'.
‘That just goes to show the point that you are overlooking the murder of women out here. You're putting politics above these people behind me. How dare you?’ Hurley exclaimed.
'How dare you go into politics in an environment like this, when one woman is murdered every four days, and all you two can do is immediately talk about politics?'
‘That is just disgraceful. Is it any wonder frontline services aren't getting the money that they want?'
‘How long do we have to listen to politicians like you and the rest of you high-horsing about, "We have to have a royal commission," "We have to do this". Everyone here knows what the answer is,' he continued.
The criminologist's recommendations were clear and direct: men with any history of domestic violence should not be granted bail.
'They should not get bail. At all. There will be people who vehemently disagree about the rule of law, about the right of individuals, about the innocence before guilty,’ he said.
'But what does society want? We want those poor girls up there from those high schools…One in every four of them [is] likely to be sexually assaulted after the age of 15. And you all sit here and pontificate about what we're doing.'
Hurley called to redefine domestic violence incidents as 'intimate terror acts' and to allocate more funding to frontline services.
'There's enough legislation there for police to go and arrest them. New South Wales Police have had a pro-arrest policy for at least 30 years,' he said.
'And we cannot arrest our way out of this. But for the immediate concern of the women here, they need to have that offender taken off the street to give them breathing space to get away to a women's refuge.’
'Over the decades, all governments of all persuasions, state and federal, you have patient-dumped people with mental health and drug issues onto the street, which is the underlying cause of domestic violence.’
'It is more than just domestic violence. You don't need a royal commission. That money needs to go into frontline services—now,’ he expressed.
Never be afraid to ask for help. Credit: Shutterstock
The urgency of Hurley's message is underscored by the harrowing statistics and recent tragic events.
In 2024 alone, 28 women have allegedly died at the hands of men.
Among these cases is the alleged murder of Molly Ticehurst, 28, by Daniel Billings, 29, which has become a focal point in the ongoing conversation about domestic violence in Australia.
Despite the federal government's announcement of a $925 million investment over five years to establish the Leaving Violence Program, advocates like Delia Donovan, CEO of Domestic Violence NSW, argued that the funding falls short of what is needed to address the immediate crisis.
‘I am frustrated at today's announcement that does very little to address the current emergency. Services are unable to meet demand, resources are over-stretched, and women are [allegedly] being murdered,' she said.
'Where is the funding for our specialist domestic and family services? In April of this year, the federal government spent $4-5 billion upgrading a fleet of six submarines.’
'Why are women and children not seeing this type of investment in their safety?'
Domestic Violence NSW has recommended an investment of $145 million to meet the current demand.
You can watch Q&A’s segment below:
Credit: @abcnews_au / Instagram
You may check this article written by member @Joy Straw, a retired psychologist, on how to help someone who has experienced domestic violence.
You can also ask Joy a question here.
Contact 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732 or the NSW Domestic Violence Line at 1800 65 64 63 for support.
You may also visit this list of mental health helplines for immediate support.
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