'Sad for us': Hannah Clarke's parents step back from advocacy

Sue and Lloyd Clarke, the tireless anti-domestic violence campaigners who transformed Australia’s legal landscape following the 2020 tragedy that claimed their daughter Hannah and three grandchildren, have announced they are stepping back from public advocacy. The decision, described as “bittersweet,” comes as the couple prioritises their personal health and wellbeing after four years of relentless work through their foundation, Small Steps for Hannah.

Since the harrowing events in Brisbane’s suburbs, the Clarkes have been instrumental in the criminalisation of coercive control, turning their private grief into a national movement for legislative reform. Their foundation has raised significant funds and provided critical education to law enforcement and the public on the warning signs of non-physical abuse. However, the immense emotional toll of constantly revisiting their loss has necessitated this withdrawal from the frontline of activism.

“True leadership is often born from the deepest shadows of grief, yet the enduring legacy of reform must eventually allow its architects the grace of peace.”

While the Clarkes will no longer be the public face of the movement, the Small Steps for Hannah foundation is expected to continue its mission under a structured board. The couple’s departure marks a significant moment for Australian advocacy, leaving behind a safer legal framework for victims of domestic harm and a nation more literate in the nuances of coercive control.