'Failure of parenthood’ to blame for domestic violence crisis

Former Labor senator Graham Richardson says the domestic violence issue seems to be due to a “failure of parenthood”.

Tens of thousands of Australians took to the streets demanding action against gender-based violence after 27 women were killed at the hands of men since the start of the year.

Crowds gathered across Victoria, Queensland and the ACT calling for an end to gendered violence and for strong government action to protect women.

“There is a whole generation of parents who just haven’t done their job,” Mr Richardson told Sky News Australia.

“When parents fail, the only other way that you can teach those kids respect for women or respect for the person around them is to do what everybody else does in these circumstances.

“There is no substitute here for parental guidance and it’s a weak substitute to have governments trying to fill the gap with laws but that’s about all you can do.”