Rosie’s decade-long battle against domestic violence

ROSIE Batty became a powerful advocate for domestic violence victims after her 11-year-old son, Luke, was murdered by his father at a sports ground in 2014.

Rising above her personal tragedy, she put family violence on the national agenda and reinforced it can happen to anyone.

Today, family violence is acknowledged as a huge societal problem affecting women across cultures and social standing. Yet, despite enormous work to raise public awareness of the issue, the statistics of violence against women in Australia are still “incredibly overwhelming and horrifying”. 

“We still have one woman a week being murdered,” Rosie says.

“You would apparently think nothing has changed, and nothing is improving if you were basing it on those statistics, which makes it difficult to remain positive in the face of so much frustration.”

A decade on, there have been some changes to the way the public perceives domestic violence, Rosie says, including greater understanding of it being a gendered issue.

“The evidence is really clear that 90% of those that choose violence are men. As uncomfortable as that conversation still is, it is more accepted and understood,” she says.

The victim-blaming narrative has also been challenged.

“A decade ago, we more readily fell into victim-blaming language and put the onus of responsibility on the woman’s shoulders for the safety of herself and the children,” Rosie says.

“We now know the area of highest risk and time of significant harm is often around the point of leaving, leading up to the leaving and that timeframe around that.

“Rather than asking the question, ‘Why doesn’t she just leave?’, we should be asking the question, ‘Why is the perpetrator – predominantly that would be a man – choosing to be violent?’

Rosie is hopeful family violence is today also recognised as taking many forms, particularly financial abuse – one of the most significant barriers preventing a woman from leaving a violent situation if she can’t find or afford accommodation.

“There is evidence to suggest a lot of women are controlled financially, and it’s very difficult to understand what options may be available to them,” she says.

“They weigh up the relationship they’re in and potentially decide it may be better for them to stay in this type of relationship rather than risk the other alternative being worse.

“Certainly the fastest growing area of homelessness is indeed women, over 50. And most families, including their children, who are experiencing homelessness, are recognised to have family violence as a major cause of that situation.”

Even in Victoria, where Rosie believes the government has been the most progressive and made the most significant improvements in systemic change, families continue to endure unsafe situations.

“We still have over 200 families every night unable to be placed safely into a refuge and having to be put up into a motel, which is unsafe. And often, the victims may return because it’s too overwhelming and unsafe to stay separated and leave,” she says.

Workplaces and major employers have recognised they are an important part of the solution, creating gender equal workplaces and policies, safe working environments, and support for family violence victims who may be staff members.

But societal change is a long, slow journey where everyone plays a part. This includes educating ourselves to recognise family violence where it occurs, calling out inappropriate behaviour, and reaching out to police and family violence services like 1800RESPECT to learn how we can support victims, she says.

Some people may also not recognise their relationship is harmful or abusive, and it is important they know they won’t be blamed or judged if they reach out.

“A lot of people may not want to go to the police for varying reasons,” Rosie says.

“They … may need to be able to speak to somebody in confidence and in safety, to recognise what their options may be, and do that in a safe and supported way.”

More advocacy work is needed to tackle the issue, along with government investment for “chronically” underfunded crisis organisations.

And while systemic responses are improving, they reflect societal attitudes, Rosie says.

“There is a spectrum of violence, and violence begins with disrespect. And, so what is really important is the recognition of gender equality, and the importance of a gender equal world and a gender equal society where violence towards women is less likely to occur.”