Sarah Hanson-Young says she was “shocked and appalled” to learn a friend had been charged with common assault, but agreed to give a character reference after she was approached by both parties, who wanted to move on with their lives.
The Greens senator and outspoken critic of violence has drawn criticism after it was revealed she had provided a character reference for a friend who was alleged to have slapped his partner in a domestic incident.
Hanson-Young said she agreed to provide the reference after learning her friend planned to plead guilty and had owned up to his actions, and both parties had reconciled and wanted to put the incident behind them.
The South Australian senator said some reporting around her reference had been “false and misleading” and her character reference was not in conflict with her opposition to violence.
“I was shocked and appalled by the man’s behaviour. He was right to own up to it and plead guilty,” she said in a statement.
“I was asked to give a character reference with the support of both parties to help the family move on with their lives. I stand by my reference that his criminal conduct – which he admitted – is inconsistent with his good character.
“I do not and have never condoned or excused domestic violence, any suggestion otherwise is absurd. In the interest of the family concerned and their privacy, I don’t intend to make any further comments.”
Moments like this must force politicians and leaders to confront the brutal reality of the domestic violence epidemic in our communities.
— Sarah Hanson-Young💚 (@sarahinthesen8) February 20, 2020
Funding and action is urgently needed to keep women and children safe. And honesty about the crisis is crucial. Thoughts & prayers need action
In the character reference, lodged with a magistrate’s court, Hanson-Young said she was “shocked and surprised” to learn of her friend’s charge, which she said was out of character from the man she knew.
“I do not know the precise details of the incident, but I can confirm I have never seen, nor heard of, any behaviour by [the man] that is remotely violent or otherwise aggressive,” she told the court.
“…[The man] is now back loving in the family home and things are going well, he has told me. I understand that he [and his partner] have reconciled but I do not know any details.
“Obviously [the man] has told me that he has no intention of reoffending in the future, and given of what I know of his character, I am confident that no re-offense will occur."
“As someone who works in politics, I understand what reputation means in public life. In my view, a criminal conviction would have a severe and unwarranted impact on his reputation and consequently on his work.”
The revelations of Hanson-Young’s character reference brought criticism, given the senator’s stance against violence and bullying, which most recently included a successful defamation action against former senator David Leyonhjelm for a series of interviews he gave, which she said amounted to “slut shaming”.
