Forty South has given me a gift in asking me to create a regular column. My advocacy works means a lot to me so I am grateful for this platform to write in. Due to a physical disability I can no longer work, so I devote my time to advocating for victims of family violence, through a not-for-profit Tasmanian organisation named Engender Equality.

My role as an advocate involves speaking at domestic violence events, radio and the odd television interview, and I campaign for law reform in Tasmania. At present I am campaigning for non-fatal strangulation to become a standalone offence rather than placed under common assault, as it now. I am also asking for coercive control to be criminalised across Australia.

The topics I intend to write about in this column include the myths that stigmatise victims of family abuse, such as:

• Why doesn't she leave?
• If it's so bad at home, why does she leave then go back?
• Victims of family violence come primarily from low socio/economic backgrounds.
• Victims are often substance and alcohol abusers or uneducated.
• Services: as more victims leave the abuser, more services are needed. Existing services are simply inadequate in terms of the range of services, counselling staff and funding, especially in rural and remote communities.
• The epidemic of family violence in regional areas of Tasmania.
• How family violence counselling services and legal services can employ best practice by using trauma informed strategies in their practices.
• The effects on families of the victim when abuse is disclosed.
• The psychological effects of abuse on the victim.

My background is in early childhood teaching and I have an arts degree, certificate in counselling and diploma in case management. These qualifications have put me in good stead to advocate for and write about the issues surrounding the crisis of family violence in Tasmania and the nation.

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Deborah Thomson moved to Tasmania with her daughter in 2010, and now lives with her partner of nine years and a parrot.

She moved to escape domestic violence and, inspired by her new partner, wrote her first book, Whose Life Is It Anyway? Recognising and Surviving Domestic Violence, to help others recognise abuse (and in particular coercive control), in the home, and to increase their motivation to leave earlier. 

After publishing her first book, she became a trained advocate through Engender Equality, a non-government Tasmanian organisation working with people and communities impacted by family violence. Deborah Thomson advocates for survivors of family violence, speaking at domestic violence events across Tasmania, through media channels and podcasts.

She recently completed a second book, detailing lived experience with domestic violence by her then husband, spanning 17 years from 1985 to 2003. This book is now used in Tasmania as an information resource for family violence counsellors and students.

Visit the homepage for Deborah's column, The Family Violence Epidemic here.