Hanson says domestic violence a ‘two-way street’

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Pauline Hanson has declared domestic violence is a “two-way street” after being asked to condemn violence against women.

The One Nation leader said women were also responsible for abuse when asked on Brisbane radio on Wednesday to send a message to men who lose their temper and harm their partners.

Pauline Hanson said women who were being abused should leave their relationships.The Age

“It is wrong, but it’s also a two-way street. But I’m not saying that it’s just men ... women can lose their cool as well,” Hanson told 4BC.

“Society is under so much pressure … I think today everyone’s sitting on a time bomb because the pressures of cost of living and people having to be able to pay the bills, tension that’s going on, or if you lose your job or the kids, what’s happening with the children these days, everyone is under so much pressure, and it’s really hard. I don’t think we communicate enough with each other.”

Hanson said women who were subject to abuse should leave the relationship.

“Domestic violence is a scourge, but sometimes, look, I’m not going to go in detail, but I’ve been through it myself in my life, and I just feel that if you’re not in a house where you feel safe, you feel you don’t want to be there, then you shouldn’t put up with it. And if these women are getting abused by men out there, then don’t put up with it. That’s what I’m saying.”

Advocates for women’s safety warn there are many reasons a person may feel unable to leave abusive relationships, including fear of retaliation or because of financial abuse.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures from 2024-25 showed that 78 per cent of family and domestic violence offenders were male and had a median age of 35 years.

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Brittany Busch is a federal politics reporter for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.