Jess Hill won the 2020 Stella Prize for her remarkable book See What You Made Me Do, an investigation into the causes and impacts of domestic abuse.
The premise of Hill's investigation is to move away from the 'why don't you leave?' question so often asked of women, to focus on why men perpetrate acts of violence and control on their families. Hill asks: Why does he stay? Why do these men, who seem to have so much hatred for their partners, not only stay, but do everything they can to stop their partner from leaving?Prior to reading this book, I thought I had a good understanding of domestic abuse, through my gender and legal studies and my work. But I see now that I had a limited comprehension of how pervasive the issue is and how destructive its impact. See What You Made Me Do was enlightening on so many levels.
Hill's deep investigation lead her to interview survivors, police, lawyers, judges, social workers and more. In doing so she paints a picture of domestic abuse as a national tragedy for which there is a lack of political will to address. The family court system hinders women facing domestic abuse. The safety net - shelters, hotlines, services for women and children - has been depleted by funding cuts and cannot keep up with demand.
A large part of the problem of course is that domestic abuse is hidden behind the walls of a family home. Far more pervasive than physical violence is coercive control. Hill writes:
Domestic abuse is not just violence. It's worse. It is a unique phenomenon, in which the perpetrator takes advantage of their partner's love and trust and uses that person's most intimate details - their deepest desires, shames and secrets - as a blueprint for their abuse.
The chapter on the impact of domestic abuse on children was heartbreaking, but the chapter on Aboriginal women and children (Dadirri) was devastating as Hill argues that colonisation brought domestic violence to Aboriginal communities - 'It was a type of violence introduced to Australia like an invasive species.'
I was reluctant to read See What You Made Me Do given the heavy subject matter. However it is such an important, powerful book it should be mandatory reading for every elected official and all who work in the police and judicial system.
I was reluctant to read See What You Made Me Do given the heavy subject matter. However it is such an important, powerful book it should be mandatory reading for every elected official and all who work in the police and judicial system.