Rosie Batty will be visiting Norfolk Island this
coming week to open the uneasy conversation our community needs to have around
the issue of family violence. As difficult as it is for many of us to accept,
we couldn’t possibly be immune, as statistically one in three Australian women
will be subjected to some form of physical and/or sexual abuse in their
lifetime.
Rosie Batty is
actively campaigning to change the legal approach to family violence in
Australia. The ‘system’ (as it stands) does little to protect women and their
children from the dreadful situation many find themselves in as they attempt to
break free from a violent family situation. Speaking recently to the media in
Brisbane, Rosie said, “The police have changed significantly in their cultural
response to family violence. The judiciary also needs to step up and become
part of the solution."
The “Safety First in
Family Law” plan she will be urging the people of Norfolk to support, calls for
new laws that would prevent the cross-examination of victims by abusers in
court, an increase in funding for legal aid services and the provision of
mediation with specially trained lawyers and social workers. It is a five-point
plan backed by more than 90 organisations that ultimately seeks to remove legal
hurdles in the Family Court system that make it hard for vulnerable women to
leave dangerous situations.
Rosie will speak
openly about her own experience; how she was encouraged by the Family Court to
allow her violent former partner access to the 11 year old son they shared, and
how that situation ended in tragedy.
Despite her obvious
suffering, Rosie has worked tirelessly since then to prevent other families
from suffering a similar fate, even launching the Luke Batty Foundation to
support women and children affected by the trauma of family violence. She is a
warm, witty and inspiring women, justifiably awarded the honour of Australian
of the Year in 2015 and we welcome the community to join WAGNI at Rawson
Hall on Tuesday, 23rd August at 5:15pm to hear her speak. She is
well placed to start the awkward conversation we so desperately need to have
here, around the issue of family violence.
For more
information please contact Tracey Sweeney 55404 or Eve Semple 54996 or 22636.
Are you
experiencing sexual assault or domestic and family violence? Seeking to support
someone who is? For Information and support 24/7 - Call 1800 737 732
To report
family violence please contact the Norfolk Island Police on 22222 and the
counsellor is available on 23191 or 56400.
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