Expert suggests men exiting relationships should receive assessments
A call to carry out mandatory mental health checks on all newly divorced or separated men.
It comes after Hannah Clarke and her three children were murdered by the children's father, Rowan Baxter, in Brisbane last week.
It has been revealed that*Clarke fought to keep Baxter away from her family. Australian media has reported that domestic violence orders against Baxter were continually watered down until he was allowed within just 20 metres of her.
That's despite him stalking her daily...and kidnapping their four year old daughter on Boxing Day.
He killed his three children and their mother by torching their car on Wednesday, in what's been described as an act of domestic terrorism.
Australian National Research Organisation for women's safety chief executive Heather Nancarrow told Mike Hosking transitioning out of relationships is not always easy, and assessments could be a solution to avoid further tragedy.*
"To those who are then assessed as posing a threat to the safety of women and children or others, including themselves, would then be offered help in the form of intensive supervision and ongoing monitoring."
She says there's a number of people who could offer the services.
"It could be people in the existing mental health system, it could be potentially child protection officers. It really is an idea that's still forming."
She says that she is looking to assemble a group of other professionals to discuss the idea in greater detail.
Nancarrow says that one of the ways that this could occur is that family members, friends or colleagues who are concerned about someone's wellbeing as they transition out of a relationship could ask for help.*
