‘Battered Wife’ fish and chips shop under fire for ‘encouraging’ domestic violence

Image: Facebook/The Battered Wife FISH & CHIPS

One fish and chips shop in Queensland, Australia has come under fire after its name, The Battered Wife, was criticized by the community and politicians alike for supposedly encouraging domestic violence.

The Battered Wife in the town of Innisfail is owned by Carolyn Kerr, a former policewoman who named her business last year after coming out of an abusive relationship. As per ABC on Oct. 31, she chose the name back in 2017 not to make light of the issue, but to raise awareness.

“I’ve been around domestic violence,” Kerr was quoted as saying. “I was a copper way back when, and after that domestic violence liaison through courts, and then I found myself in a situation where I was in that as well and I just thought ‘you know, it’s my little stand to try to make awareness.’”

The official Facebook page of The Battered Wife FISH & CHIPS also shared a post last Oct. 30, clarifying that domestic violence is not a joke.

“REALLY!!? Domestic violence is not a joke!! Not even close…I’ve sat on many sides of that fence but y’all presume I’m endorsing it with the name because someone posted something to something…”

https://www.facebook.com/1214873851975185/photos/a.1255720711223832/1750546525074579/?type=3&theater

Kerr also shared a picture of her with a black eye in the shop’s official page, saying that she got it after stepping in and protecting a woman from an abusive partner.

“I didn’t call it Domestic Violence and your heightened energy could be better served in that area then on an abusive witch hunt,” she said. “I batter fish, I’m married to my business and I want to make a difference…”

Others, however, do not agree with Kerr’s defense. For one, Attorney-General of Queensland Yvette D’ath was horrified by the shop’s name. “The business is completely out of step with what [the] community’s expectations are,” she said in the report.

Opposition leader Deb Frecklington was also quoted as saying the name was “completely unacceptable.”

“It is completely unacceptable in our community that we have anything that goes towards an encouragement of violence towards women.”

The Women’s Electoral Lobby in Australia (WEL) also condemned the shop, as they took to Facebook on Oct. 31 where they shared a photo of the shop’s signage along with their statement.

“This is a fish and chip shop in far north Queensland- it’s called ‘The Battered Wife,’” the WEL said. “This indicates the scope of things that need to change in Australia for us to really see societal and cultural change and a reduction in violence against women and children.”

https://www.facebook.com/WomensElectoralLobbyAustralia/photos/a.282505071906868/1197299550427411/?type=3&theater

“This is not clever, or funny. Family violence is no joke.”

The Women’s Electoral Lobby also scorned at Kerr for sharing a picture of her with a black eye. 

“To be honest though, it’s probably time for her to just change the name and move on. WEL does not condone threats made to the owner or employees of the store,” the group said. “We support constructive change-making.” Cody Cepeda/JB

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