No one should accept domestic violence. Watch this thoughtful campaign.

SENATOR Cory Bernardi has denied he endorses using headlocks on women after a backlash over comments made during a domestic violence inquiry.

The Liberal senator sparked anger after suggesting to representatives of the Queensland’s oldest women’s refuge that there were times it was appropriate for a man to put his partner in a headlock.

His comments were made at Senate inquiry into domestic violence in Australia yesterday, which also heard that a hotline for victims has been so overwhelmed by women calling for help that some calls have had to go unanswered.

Mr Bernardi sparked anger after telling Women’s House Shelta that they were not “experts” and there were times it was appropriate for a man to put his partner in a headlock.

However, Senator Bernardi today denied he endorses using headlocks on women.

In a statement he said he had told the Senate inquiry “it was inappropriate for witnesses at the inquiry to second-guess the decisions of police in granting a protection order after they had completed an appropriate investigation based on evidence”.

“I never suggested violence in any form was acceptable; I merely pointed out the fact, when asked whether it is ever right to restrain someone, that law enforcement officers use appropriate restraint techniques to deter aggressors in the course of their duties.”

Shelta’s Barbara Crossing told the hearing a man had a protection order taken out against his partner using evidence she bit him under the arm.

Ms Crossing, a support worker since 1991, said the injury could only have been caused by the man having the woman in a headlock.

Senator Bernardi said police considered headlocks an “appropriate means of deferring an aggressor” and Ms Crossing was second-guessing the police who were the “experts”.

The comments sparked anger from Greens senator Larissa Waters, who said Ms Crossing was the expert and a headlock was an example of domestic violence.

She was not the only one, with Twitter users expressing disbelief and anger at the comments.

Cory, you are out of touch. Shut up. "@newscomauHQ: Cory Bernardi tells domestic violence hearing that headlocks are sometimes appropriate" — Go Knights! (@jaykey27) November 6, 2014

If Sen Bernardi thinks it's sometimes OK to put a woman in a headlock - what else does he think is OK — Graeme Watson (@kwylo) November 6, 2014

think the Channel-Billed Cockoos outside my window just read the Bernardi piece — Glebe2037 (@Glebe2037) November 6, 2014

Oh god Bernardi for farks sake — Admhannishment (@dahlsr) November 6, 2014

@newscomauHQ @ILC_UNSW Bernardi is a disgrace and so is the lack of state-based LNP govt support for families in crisis in QLD. — Sandra Phillips (@DrSRP1) November 6, 2014

Can Bernardi get demoted any further — Fakeed™ Butler (@fakeedbutler) November 6, 2014

The inquiry also heard that from DV Connect Queensland, that they were snowed under with more than 300 calls seeking help but could only handle 120 calls daily. The situation is so dire now that unless a woman had broken bones her situation was not considered “serious”.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: No class distinctions

BATTERING: Occupation most likely to offend

DV Connect CEO Di Mangan said not only was the volume of calls increasing but the women’s situations were worsening.

“Most of them are serious to the point now where you think if someone doesn’t have fractures or serious injuries we’re actually starting to see them as not so serious,” Ms Mangan said. “We’re beyond capacity in Queensland.”

She said workers had to juggle up to nine cases at once and were forced on Wednesday to let calls go unanswered.

“I just had to send an email to the workers yesterday, for the first time, (saying) ‘and I hate to have to say this to you as a work group but you have to leave calls’,” Ms Mangan said. “I’ve been watching this trend going up over the year.”