‘Victim Blaming‘ Comments Following Hannah Clarke Murders Revealed as Part of Flawed Police Strategy
Brisbane, Australia – Internal documents reveal that Queensland Police actively employed a media strategy following the horrific murders of Hannah clarke and her children that included responses perceived as victim-blaming, a tactic now widely condemned as a notable misstep in public communication and a potential impediment to addressing domestic violence. The strategy, detailed in a leaked document and corroborated by interviews, aimed to deflect criticism of police handling of domestic violence cases in the wake of the tragedy, but instead sparked public outrage and accusations of insensitivity.
The revelations come as scrutiny intensifies over police responses to domestic and family violence in Australia, with critics arguing that ingrained attitudes within law enforcement continue to undermine efforts to protect victims. The documents demonstrate a calculated effort to manage the narrative surrounding the Clarke murders, prioritizing the reputation of the police force over demonstrating empathy and accountability. This strategy included framing Clarke’s estranged husband, Rowan Baxter, as an “isolated incident” and subtly questioning the actions of the victim, contributing to a harmful narrative that places duty on those experiencing abuse.
In the aftermath of the February 2020 murders, then-Queensland Police Commissioner katarina Carroll publicly stated that police were “doing everything they could” and emphasized the difficulty of intervening in domestic disputes. A leaked internal email from February 19, 2020, shows a senior officer, Superintendent Glenn Kachel, directing media staff to emphasize that police had “no prior knowledge” of Baxter’s violent intentions and to highlight the “complexities” of domestic violence cases. The email also instructed officers to counter negative media coverage by emphasizing the “positive work” of the police in addressing domestic violence.
A former deputy commissioner, Cameron Harsley, acknowledged in a Guardian interview that attitudes within the police force regarding domestic and family violence were beginning to shift, but critics contend that the leaked documents demonstrate a persistent problematic mindset. The strategy was developed despite internal warnings about the potential for backlash,with some officers expressing concern that the messaging would be perceived as insensitive and victim-blaming.
The revelations coincide with a recent 100-day review of police operations led by Assistant Commissioner Michael Swan, which controversially argued that domestic violence case management is not a “core buisness” function of the police. The review found that the focus on family violence consumed a disproportionate amount of police resources. This finding has been widely criticized as evidence of a continued devaluation of domestic violence within the police force, reinforcing concerns that the Clarke-era media strategy reflects a deeper systemic issue.
the Guardian has reported extensively on the failings in Queensland Police’s response to domestic violence,including a broader investigation into “Broken Trust” which highlighted systemic issues and a lack of adequate training. The current disclosures are expected to fuel calls for a comprehensive overhaul of police training, policies, and public messaging regarding domestic and family violence, as well as increased accountability for officers who perpetuate harmful narratives.
