‘Fathers’ rights’ and the defense of paternal authority in Australia

Authors

Michael Flood, La Trobe UniversityFollow

RIS ID

32998

Publication Details

Flood, M. G. (2010). ‘Fathers’ rights’ and the defense of paternal authority in Australia. Violence Against Women, 16 (3), 328-347.

Abstract

Feminism’s achievements regarding violence against women are a key target for the fathers’ rights movement. This article provides an overview of the impact of the fathers’ rights movement on men’s violence against women. It documents the ways in which fathers’ rights groups in Australia have influenced changes in family law, which privilege parental contact over safety, particularly through moves toward a presumption of children’s joint residence. They have attempted to discredit female victims of violence, to wind back the legal protections available to victims and the sanctions imposed on perpetrators, and to undermine services for the victims of men’s violence.