Heather Douglas

(she / her)
  • Professor of Law and Deputy Director of the Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW), The University of Melbourne
Trop de partenaires sexuels croient à tort que, bien que risquée, la strangulation pendant l’amour peut être rendue sûre par une pression modérée sur le cou et une communication appropriée. LysenkoAndrii/Shutterstock

Le « choking » ou strangulation pendant l’amour, une pratique à risque qui se banalise

Le « choking », qui consiste à exercer une pression sur le cou, lors d’une relation sexuelle, se répand chez les jeunes. Même entre partenaires consentants, cette strangulation présente des risques.
Technologies such as social media, SMS and tracking apps can be used by abusers to control and harass their partners. Shutterstock

Migrant women are particularly vulnerable to technology‑facilitated domestic abuse

With few contacts and no independent income, migrant women experiencing domestic violence can become further isolated from support by abusive partners controlling their access to technology.
Indigenous people make up just 4.2% of the Queensland population, but are the subjects of 21% of domestic violence protection order applications. Shutterstock

How Indigenous women have become targets in a domestic violence system intended to protect them

A new study in Queensland shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are far more likely to be targeted by domestic violence protection orders than the general population.
In refusing to strike out Smith’s claim, the court has accepted that it is arguable police could owe a common law duty of care to specific victims of domestic violence to protect them from preventable harm. AAP/James Ross

Court opens door to domestic violence victim to sue police for negligence

A Victorian woman claims police were negligent in failing to prevent breaches of protection orders against her ex-partner – a case that may open up new legal avenues in domestic violence cases.
Ideally, all states and territories would have consistent laws based on Victorian legislation. Juanedc/Flickr

Explainer: is abortion legal in Australia?

Abortion is a safe medical procedure, yet half of Australian women may have difficulty accessing a termination because they live in states and territories that designate it a crime.
Police in NSW will soon be equipped with body cameras – as will their counterparts on Queensland’s Gold Coast in domestic violence incidents. AAP/Andi Yu

Beware the unintended consequences of police‑worn body cameras

Police-worn body cameras could be a helpful tool for law enforcement in cases involving domestic violence. But they could also have unintended consequences.

Contact Heather for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision