Thursday 16 April 2020

Stella Prize 2020

The winner of the Stella Prize was announced this week with Jess Hill awarded the prize for her investigative non-fiction See What You Made Me Do.

Journalist Jess Hill turns the spotlight on the perpetrators of domestic violence seeking to understand why men are abusive and what systems enable them.

The judges described the book as follows:
'See What You Made Me Do' looks at the issue from multiple perspectives, including those largely male perpatrators and asks the government to rethinnk and reframe the measures which have so far failed Australian women. It is a sensitive read, which - whilst confronting - is compelling and hopeful. 

Jess Hill received the award and its $50,000 prize money at a virtual award ceremony which was live streamed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the present quarantine requirements and social isolation is putting more pressure on families and there is heightened risk of domestic abuse, this award will hopefully increase attention on this important issue.