07/10/2026
TRIGGER WARNING DV ⚠️ NARCISSISTIC ABUSE
Sam Wood is entitled to the presumption of innocence, a fair hearing and due process. Taking domestic violence charges seriously does not remove those rights.
He has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence) and strangulation in a domestic setting. The alleged victim has not been publicly identified as Queensland law does not allow this.
But suggesting it is irrational to suspect the alleged victim may be a woman or family member ignores the context in which these charges were reported.
What I cannot reconcile is condemning speculation while offering explanations that all favour the accused.
Maybe it was a man? Self-defence? Protecting his family? Based on what evidence?
You cannot condemn speculation while supplying your own exclusively in the direction most favourable to the accused who is currently REFUSED BAIL.
Refusal of bail is NOT a finding of guilt. But a magistrate has made a determination to refuse bail based on information none of us have seen. That should give people pause and concern for the safety of the victim-survivor.
Jules Robinson showed how simple this can be. She didn’t determine guilt. She condemned domestic and family violence, respected the court process and acted according to her values.
Taking allegations seriously is not determining guilt.
And someone educating women about empowerment, narcissistic abuse and relationships should understand this complexity. We are NOT suggesting this man is a narcissistic abuser. But narcissistic and coercive abuse show precisely why public reputation tells us little about private behaviour. Someone can be admired publicly and entirely different behind closed doors.
Survivors already fear they won’t be believed because others “know” another version of that person.
That should make us MORE careful about manufacturing innocent explanations, because when we know better, we do better.
Presumption of innocence does not mean presumption that an alleged victim is lying.
How we talk about violence matters. Survivors are listening. Feeling safe enough to speak can be a matter of life and death.
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