A Conversation with Rosie Batty

 

On Monday 29^th August at the Toomah Community Centre in Pakenham, Windermere hosted A Conversation with Rosie Batty an event designed to bring together politicians, family violence professionals and the community to discuss strategies to help reduce family violence.

The forum facilitated by local MP & White Ribbon Ambassador Brian Paynter, saw over 130 residents from the community join Rosie Batty as she reflected on her hopes for the outcomes of the Royal Commission into Family Violence and her new role as Chair of the RCFV Victims Survivors Advisory Council.

Together, with the Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence, Hon. Fiona Richardson, an expert panel of local service providers and police, the issue of family violence was examined with a focus on how support services can improve their service delivery, and how women and children can be better protected in the community.

2015 Australian of the year and family violence advocate, Rosie Batty, spoke genuinely about her journey since her son’s tragic death, stressing the importance of tapping into support services available from local agencies like Windermere and the support that was provided to her.

“Community is all important, and a sense of community is really what I found and felt in the early stages of grief for Luke,” she said.

“I can’t thank Windermere enough for the work they did. Within a day they (Windermere) came to my home and supported me and my family not only through the court process but with Luke’s funeral – just knowing I didn’t have to navigate that on my own during the darkest time anyone could imagine was a great help”.

Minister Richardson spoke about the State Government’s shake up on dealing with family violence matters and reflected the panels concerns about a drastic need for changes in behaviour and attitudes to prevent family violence.

“We need to start funding prevention over crisis. We (the government) are very good at responding to crisis and harms of family violence, but these are crimes that are entirely preventable,” Ms. Richardson said.

The Minister’s and Rosie’s words were also reflected by Windermere CEO Dr. Lynette Buoy “Every one of us can do something small to make big changes. Early prevention and education is the key. We must do all we can to challenge attitudes towards violence, and increase our communities knowledge base. We also need to take responsibility to call out and change dangerous attitudes before they turn into dangerous behaviours,” she said.

A conversation with Rosie Batty – Communities coming together to reduce family violence and make a difference.

To see Rosie’s full speech click on the link below.

To find out more about our services for victims of crime, violence or trauma fill in the form below, call our team on 1300 946 337 or visit here.