Hitting out: Rosie Batty. Credit:Channel Ten She became incensed moments before appearing on Studio 10 when she heard the panellists discussing new Victorian child abuse reporting laws that critics fear could punish victims of violence. Ms Batty said during a live cross that people failed to understand the fear that consumed family violence victims that might prevent them from reporting child abuse or leaving their abusive partners. "And you know what happened to me? Greg had finally lost control of me and to make me suffer and the final act of control, which was the most hideous form of violence, was to kill my son so don't you ever think that if we don't report it's because we don't want to. It's because we are so scared about what might happen," she said to Hildebrand. "You have no idea."

Rosie Batty: "Outraged" by TV host Joe Hildebrand's comments on family violence. Credit:Michael Clayton-Jones Hildebrand, while expressing sympathy for women in an abusive relationship, had said there was no excuse for not reporting child abuse. He said family violence victims needed to be empowered to leave their partners and they "absolutely had to get out", but that women who stayed had no excuse for not reporting abuse against their children. Studio 10 co-host Joe Hildebrand. "Frankly to say that you're going to not report a case of child abuse or child sex abuse by your partner because you are scared for your own safety, I'm sorry it's not an excuse," he said.

Ms Batty then appeared on the show and said she felt "outraged". She told the panel that she had hoped her son's tragic death would raise awareness about family violence. "This is beyond my comprehension that again the woman who's the victim is punished," she said during a live cross. "And Joe your comments are so, so misguided. "If you minimise how it feels to feel unsafe, and when we're talking about unsafe, we're talking about the risks to our lives. We're talking about when women finally decide to leave their partners, they are at the most risk."

Hildebrand remained quiet as Ms Batty spoke. "Joe needs to look at his views as a man and he needs to step up and get informed. Because when I hear comments like that I am so saddened that the focus is still on the woman. Where the hell is the perpetrator? Why isn't he being jailed for three years?" Ms Batty later told Fairfax Media that she knew Hildebrand's comments had not been personally directed towards her but that she felt compelled to challenge them because they represented commonly held views of both men and women in the community. She said she had not known much about the new laws before she heard the show's panel discussing them and was riled by what Hildebrand had said. The new Victorian laws are designed to ensure that child sex abuse never goes unreported. The morning show's discussion was prompted by a recent Age article that reported the fears of family violence support groups that victims of abuse too scared to report what was happening to their children might be punished.

Hildebrand's three female co-hosts had disagreed with him, including Jessica Rowe who told him he was being a "bit harsh" and that women in violent situations should be supported not punished. Hildebrand has since released a statement and said that his comments have been misrepresented and misunderstood. He said he did not believe that family violence victims should be jailed if they did not disclose child abuse and that he did not believe they would be under the new laws. "My comments were in no way directed to or about Rosie Batty, who was scheduled to appear on the show for a separate segment about a fundraiser for her late son Luke," he said. "I am certainly very sorry for any distress they caused her."

Hildebrand said his point was that the safety of children had to come first above other considerations. "If a child is being sexually abused then I strongly feel it is the responsibility of all those who are aware of it to report it," he said. "I also said that to allow a child to be continually exposed to sexual abuse is, frankly, inexcusable. I stand by this completely." Anti-family violence organisation White Ribbon issued a statement just before 1pm, that called on media commentators to be well informed and sensitive when speaking with victims of violence "so what they are saying does not come across as 'victim blaming'". The organisation's chief executive officer Libby Davies said women needed to be encouraged to report violence and leave abusive partners.

"But only when we have enough services to support this across the community, as well as helping to prevent the violence from happening in the first place, will women be truly free to live in safety," she said. The Federation of Community Legal Centres, Domestic Violence Victoria, the Women's Legal Service and the Domestic Violence Resource Centre have all raised concerns at the new laws, which carry a maximum three-year jail sentence. The laws exempt people who reasonably fear for their safety, but victim support groups said family violence sufferers were often not believed. Ms Batty has been contacted for comment. Following the passionate exchange, Channel 10 posted a message on Twitter thanking Ms Batty for her grace and passion.

- with Jane Lee gofundme.com/lukebattyfund For information and help regarding family violence visit Domestic Violence Victoria or in an emergency call police or the women's domestic violence crisis services on 1800 015 188.



