MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

It's Time to Make Coercive Control A Crime

It's Time to Make Coercive Control A Crime

Margaret Qualley And Shia LaBeouf Split Amid FKA Twigs Abuse Allegations

Margaret Qualley And Shia LaBeouf Split Amid FKA Twigs Abuse Allegations

FKA Twigs Sues Shia LaBeouf For Alleged Emotional, Mental And Physical Abuse

FKA Twigs Sues Shia LaBeouf For Alleged Emotional, Mental And Physical Abuse

Angelina Jolie Has Some Advice For Women Who Fear Being Abused During The Holiday Season

Angelina Jolie Has Some Advice For Women Who Fear Being Abused During The Holiday Season

{headline}

{headline}

A New Coercive Control Law Could See Perpetrators Jailed For Up To 10 Years

A New Coercive Control Law Could See Perpetrators Jailed For Up To 10 Years

The Terrifying Rise Of Domestic Violence In Isolation

The Terrifying Rise Of Domestic Violence In Isolation

Why kickass activist Khadija Gbla convinced Australia to embrace her

Why kickass activist Khadija Gbla convinced Australia to embrace her

{headline}

{headline}

Why Women Will Feel The Impact Of The Coronavirus For Longer

Why Women Will Feel The Impact Of The Coronavirus For Longer

Its A Wrap: Our 2019 Women of the Year podcast

Its A Wrap: Our 2019 Women of the Year podcast

'Glee' Star Melissa Benoist Reveals She Was A Victim Of Domestic Violence

'Glee' Star Melissa Benoist Reveals She Was A Victim Of Domestic Violence

This Powerful Mural Is Painting A Picture Of Australia's Vulnerable And Voiceless Children

This Powerful Mural Is Painting A Picture Of Australia's Vulnerable And Voiceless Children

It's Time To Honour The Women Who Have Lost Their Lives To Violence This Year

It's Time To Honour The Women Who Have Lost Their Lives To Violence This Year

Pauline Hanson Says Women Make Up DV & Is Not Fit To Chair Family Law Inquiry

Pauline Hanson Says Women Make Up DV & Is Not Fit To Chair Family Law Inquiry

Meet Georgina Haig: The Star Of 'Secret Bridesmaids' Business'

Meet Georgina Haig: The Star Of 'Secret Bridesmaids' Business'

  1. Home
  2. Settle In For A Long Read

“She Was Going To Fight For Her Babies To The End”: Hannah Clarke Honoured In marie claire’s Women Of The Year List

“Because of Hannah, coercive control was given nationwide attention” - by Sarah Grant
  • 12 Nov 2020
“She Was Going To Fight For Her Babies To The End”: Hannah Clarke Honoured In marie claire’s Women Of The Year List

Murdered domestic violence victim Hannah Clarke has been posthumously honoured in marie claire’s inaugural Women of the Year list for her incredible act of bravery in the final hours of her life.

When Hannah and her three children, Aaliyah, six, Laianah, four, and Trey, three, were ambushed and set alight by Hannah’s estranged husband Rowan Baxter on February 19, the nation mourned.

And while the horrific act of domestic violence made headlines around the country, the story of the young mother’s heroic actions as she fought for her life was not as widely told.

“Though she had burns to 97 per cent of her body, Hannah still managed to give police a clear and articulate statement,” Hannah’s mother, Sue Clarke, told Marie Claire. “Afterwards she passed out, but when she came to for a brief period, she pushed herself to repeat it. The police were in awe. It was truly to make him pay — she didn’t know he was dead. She was going to fight for her babies to the end.”

Determined to re-write the ending of their daughter’s life, Sue and Lloyd Clarke have established the Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation, through which they hope to raise awareness about controlling relations and domestic violence. Ultimately, they want to see coercive control become a criminal offence in Australia.  

Hannah Clarke

Sue and Lloyd Clarke with Hannah

Grace Smith; Sue Clarke’s Hair and Makeup by Erin Bigg/Arc Creative.

“Because of Hannah, coercive control was given nationwide attention, and now her parents—Sue and Lloyd—are carrying are carrying on her legacy by fighting to make coercive control a crime in Australia,' said marie claire editor Nicky Briger. To join the push to criminalise coercive control, sign the petition at coercivecontrol.com.au.

Hannah’s story has already helped to change people’s lives, and encourage other women to leave controlling relationships that may similarly escalate into violence, her parents explained. “That was our girl; she always wanted to help others, so we want to do it in her name,” said Sue.

marie claire’s Women of the Year list honours the incredible Australians making a difference in these extraordinary times. Whether leading with courage, fighting for change or delivering some much needed laughs, they are a collective of inspirational women who have risen to the challenge in 2020.

In addition to Hannah, the list includes the healthcare workers on the frontline of Covid-19, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, bushfire fundraising hero comedian Celeste Barber, sex trafficking survivor and Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre, international model Adut Akech Bior, Indigenous activist Apryl Day, actor Sarah Snook and long distance swimmer Chloe McCardel. 

The Women of the Year portfolio is featured in the December 2020 issue of marie claire, on sale now.

For help with issues of domestic violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

  • News
  • Domestic Violence
Sarah Grant
Sarah Grant
Sarah Grant brings fifteen years of editorial experience to her role as features director of marie claire and is passionate about creating content that sets the title apart from its competitors. Her prior roles include the position of editor and deputy editor at Sunday Style magazine, news editor at WHO magazine and editor of Sydney Confidential.
Settle In For A Long Read
“She Was Going To Fight For Her Babies To The End”: Hannah Clarke Honoured In marie claire’s Women Of The Year List

“She Was Going To Fight For Her Babies To The End”: Hannah Clarke Honoured In marie claire’s Women Of The Year List

Women In Italy Discovered Their Names On Graves Where Their Aborted Fetuses Are Buried—Now, They're Starting A Second #MeToo

Women In Italy Discovered Their Names On Graves Where Their Aborted Fetuses Are Buried—Now, They're Starting A Second #MeToo

"The Illness Had Spread Through My Body Like Cancer": Tamara Wrigley Shares Her Journey With Endometriosis

"The Illness Had Spread Through My Body Like Cancer": Tamara Wrigley Shares Her Journey With Endometriosis

Settle In For A Long Read

“She Was Going To Fight For Her Babies To The End”: Hannah Clarke Honoured In marie claire’s Women Of The Year List

“She Was Going To Fight For Her Babies To The End”: Hannah Clarke Honoured In marie claire’s Women Of The Year List

Women In Italy Discovered Their Names On Graves Where Their Aborted Fetuses Are Buried—Now, They're Starting A Second #MeToo

Women In Italy Discovered Their Names On Graves Where Their Aborted Fetuses Are Buried—Now, They're Starting A Second #MeToo

"The Illness Had Spread Through My Body Like Cancer": Tamara Wrigley Shares Her Journey With Endometriosis

"The Illness Had Spread Through My Body Like Cancer": Tamara Wrigley Shares Her Journey With Endometriosis

The Beirut Blast: The Anguish, The Aftermath And Now, The Recovery

The Beirut Blast: The Anguish, The Aftermath And Now, The Recovery

Catching A Serial Killer: After 20 Years, The Claremont Serial Killer Has Been Brought To Justice

Catching A Serial Killer: After 20 Years, The Claremont Serial Killer Has Been Brought To Justice

America Is On Fire: A Black US Citizen On Watching Their Country Burn From Afar

America Is On Fire: A Black US Citizen On Watching Their Country Burn From Afar

Why Are Women Paying To Work?

Why Are Women Paying To Work?

"When You Lose A Child, You Lose Their Future": Sarah Jane Young On Losing Her Baby At 20 Weeks

"When You Lose A Child, You Lose Their Future": Sarah Jane Young On Losing Her Baby At 20 Weeks

Emily Penn Is On A Mission To End Ocean Pollution By Sailing The World With All-Female Crews

Emily Penn Is On A Mission To End Ocean Pollution By Sailing The World With All-Female Crews

Inside The Australian Gymnastics Abuse Disgrace

Inside The Australian Gymnastics Abuse Disgrace

"Give Yourself Permission To Grieve", One Mother's Advice About The Loss Of A Pregnancy

"Give Yourself Permission To Grieve", One Mother's Advice About The Loss Of A Pregnancy

SPONSORED BY MARIE CLAIRE
MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*-*Conditions apply

Shop This Offer
Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*