Rosie Batty joins Fran Kelly on RN Breakfast

Rosie was invited to speak to Fran Kelly on Radio National Breakfast to discuss the Justice for Kids campaign. Rosie said the family law system is ‘overburdened, underfunded’ and in need of change.

She described some of the problems with the family law system and explained why she is pushing for reforms to put a greater emphasis on the safety of children and their parents.

You can listen to the interview here.

Rosie Batty named among Fortune magazine world’s greatest leaders

Famed business magazine Fortune has named domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty one of its top 50 world’s greatest leaders.

Ms Batty is fresh off handing the baton of Australian of the Year to Lieutenant General David Morrison.

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She is one of two Australians named in the list, the membership of which is decided by a poll of Fortune‘s readership, and sits among lofty company. Also on the list is Angela Merkel (2), Pope Francis (4) and basketballer Stephen Curry (15).

Fortune and its readers clearly laud economic achievements. Topping this year’s list was Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, while Apple’s Tim Cook took top spot in 2015.

Ms Batty was given 33rd spot for “selflessly putting domestic violence on the Australian agenda in a country where one in five women has experienced sexual violence after age 15,” the magazine wrote.

Read more: The Age

Australian Feature Documentary ‘The Colour of Love’

We are delighted to announce our partnership with the upcoming Australian Feature Documentary ‘The Colour of Love’. The Colour of Love is a brave documentary about family violence, told by victims in the Indian community in Australia and abroad who want to inspire change across the world. It is a film that offers a beacon of hope for the global campaign to end violence against women in all cultures and in all forms.

Click here to support the project.

Victorian Government commits $572m following Royal Commission

Rosie was in the Victorian Parliament today when the Victorian Government pledged a significant investment in family violence response as a result of the findings of the Royal Commission.

See the funding breakdown here.

Funding breakdown:

$152.5 million to go to crisis housing
$122 million to support children affected by family violence
$103.9 million for specialist family violence services
$61.6 million to promote respect for women in the community and in schools

It delivers on 65 of the commission’s 227 recommendations, in what the Government says is a “first step” towards addressing the problem.

Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-13/victorian-government-commits-$572m-to-tackle-family-violence/7322116

Royal Commission delivers final report

Today was a landmark day in the campaign to end family violence.

The Royal Commission into Family Violence delivered its recommendations. This was the Commission that was called in the wake of Luke’s murder and the emerging national conversation about how to protect women and children.

The report from the Commission is extensive. Read more about the recommendations from the Commission below.

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It makes some 227 recommendations to address systemic issues – as far ranging as safety and housing for victims, police and court responses to family violence and perpetrator accountability.

I’ve only had a short amount of time today to review the report and it will take sometime to digest all the findings. You can read it herehttp://www.rcfv.com.au/Report-Recommendations

The Victorian Government has already agreed to adopt all of the recommendations. Speaking at the launch today, Premier Daniel Andrews said “this is everyone’s problem, it’s unacceptable and it changes today.”

This Royal Commission has been hugely significant. It was a once-in-a-generation event and an opportunity to bring family violence issues out from behind closed doors.

Without this Royal Commission so many stories would have gone untold.

Through the process we have heard from many victims and survivors about inadequacies in the system – a system that failed me, a system that failed Luke.

Today is significant, but it’s just another step in the right direction.

Ending family violence needs a long-term commitment from all levels of government, not just in Victoria, and from everyone in the nation.

I am optimistic that if we keep talking about it, keep educating the community and keep the pressure up for change, we can protect more women and children from suffering in their own homes.

Thanks again for accompanying me on this journey.

Best wishes,

Rosie

Men overwhelmingly dominate family violence offence, new figures show

Men overwhelmingly dominate domestic and family violence offences – outstripping women by four to one – and most are aged in their 20s and early 30s, new figures show.

 

Amid ongoing community outrage over violence against women and children, statistics on perpetrators collected by frontline police, and published for the first time, have confirmed the extent of the problem.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics report on recorded crime by offenders shows that men are overwhelmingly responsible for domestic and family violence, with the most common offence being an act to cause injury.

Read more on Daily Life

Rosie’s Christmas Wish

Watch Rosie share her wish for all children this Christmas.

29 ways to honour Luke Batty

Today is the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It’s a big day being marked across the nation. But for Rosie, tomorrow will be even bigger.

Tomorrow Rosie will address both houses of the Victorian Parliament. In her speech she is going to ask the Victorian Parliament to urgently implement the recommendations from the Coronial Inquest into Luke’s murder.

The Coronial Inquest delivered 29 recommendations. The judgement provides an urgent roadmap to transform the family violence system and lives of women and children. If implemented these recommendations will provide an essential framework for reform in every state and territory.

Stand with Rosie and help us make these reforms a reality.

Join with Rosie and all victims of family violence and ask the Victorian Parliament to adopt and implement all the recommendations from the Coronial Inquest into Luke’s murder. Add you name to the petition now

Together we can honour Luke’s memory and help prevent what happened to Luke and Rosie from happening to other women and children.

Will you stand with Rosie tomorrow? Sign the petition.

The Nice House – The compelling true story of Rosie Batty helps to provide a spotlight on the ugly reality of domestic violence

Family violence happens to everybody, no matter how nice your house is, how intelligent you are. It happens to anyone and everyone.”

These were the words from Rosie Batty as she faced a media scrum 24 hours after the worst day of her life – when her ex-partner Greg Anderson stabbed her 11-year‑old son Luke to death at cricket practice before he was shot by police.

It was a story that shocked the nation, a tragedy that added personal focus to what has become a national discussion on domestic violence. Rosie’s strength in the face of this devastating event and commitment to raising awareness of the consequences of family violence has won praise over the country, resulting in her becoming Australian of the Year in 2015.

Victoria Police’s then Chief Commissioner, Ken Lay, praised Rosie as the most “remarkable victim” he ever met, saying that she put domestic violence on the national agenda.

The Nice House screens on the crime + investigation channel on White Ribbon Day, 25 November, and tells Rosie’s story, investigating the circumstances behind Luke and Greg’s deaths. Interviews with Luke’s cricket coach, Cameron Colin, and Rosie’s close friend, Mariette Mullavey, help to offer insights into the events that led up to this devastating incident and its aftermath.

The CEO of White Ribbon Australia, Libby Davies, has become a friend of Rosie’s since that day and has nothing but praise for her fight for a change in the approach to addressing domestic and family violence.

In her role as Australian of the Year, Rosie has made hundreds of media and public speaking appearances to shine a spotlight on the issue and call for systemic changes.

“Rosie is very articulate,” Libby says. “She’s absolutely been able to nail what needs to change and uses her personal narrative, her story, to drive a commitment to that change.”

The personal focus that Rosie’s story has brought to the issue of family and domestic violence has been vital, says Libby.

“Having Rosie as a wonderful advocate in this space has done a lot to bring the minds of the community more effectively into this campaign, which works alongside what White Ribbon has been doing for 12 years,” she adds.

“The White Ribbon campaign is about men speaking to men about the behaviours and attitudes of some men that results in this horrific scourge in the community.

“That is critical to any of this social change movement, because it is the stories of people and the voices of the community that harnesses the attention of the decision makers to do something.

“You can have all the scientific evidence in the world; you can have all the systemic review documentation that we’ve had, but it is the story of a particular individual that resonates with the human condition that I think is really what makes a change.”

THE NICE HOUSE premieres Wednesday 25 November at 8.30pm AEDT on crime + investigation only on Foxtel.

Written by Lynne Testoni.  This story first appeared in the November issue of Foxtel magazine. To subscribe, click here: https://www.foxtel.com.au/got/whats-on/foxtel-insider/magazine/november.html

MAX Employment pledges to place 15,000 stars this Christmas

From 1 October to Christmas Eve, MAX Employment has pledged to place 15,000 people into work and donate a total of $100,000 to four Australian charities as part of their 2015 campaign, 15,000 Stars for Christmas.

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Photo: L to R – MAX Employment Managing Director Deborah Homewood with Primary OSHCare HR Manager and former MAX job seeker Simonne Poole

Every job seeker deserves the chance to turn their lives around, no matter what their history. Every day a job seeker has a brighter future because an employer or community organisation gives them a chance and helps them through the tough times. In support of the work they do for job seekers, their families and communities throughout Australia, the Luke Batty Foundation, Mates4Mates, Kids Helpline, and the Adelaide Crows Children’s Foundation will each receive $25,000 as part of the campaign.

Without the support of organisations like these, MAX Employment could not change the lives of job seekers and support them in their transition back into employment. Thousands of people will be spared from contemplating suicide. Thousands of families will be able to escape a domestic violence situation. Thousands of families will share a joyous Christmas with food on the table, surrounded by loved ones, and experience the true gift of a future filled with hope instead of despair; a future with a job.

15,000 Stars for Christmas will see MAX staff across Australia work with non-government organisations, charities, and local government to find and place 15,000 job seekers before Christmas Eve and assist employers to build and retain their workforce with ongoing post-placement support. At the launch of the campaign, former MAX job seeker Simonne spoke of her struggles with finding her employment, and the difference finding a job made to her life.

“It was disheartening to be pipped at the post, or to apply and not even be told you’re unsuccessful. Almost 12 months of that can completely destroy your self-worth and confidence. It’s hard to maintain momentum and to stay positive and driven.

“I was placed in a HR Manager role one month ago, and it’s truly been the most amazing month. I go to work every day with a huge smile.  I love my job, and at my new work I am home. I am professionally and personally in my Nirvana. I love to work.”

Simonne’s outlook on life is better than ever.  Through the support of employers and community organisations, 15,000 Stars will change the lives of many more job seekers just like Simonne, helping thousands to overcome challenges and experience the many rewards that a job can bring.

If you or an organisation you know has a vacancy waiting to be filled, visit 15000stars.com or call the MAX Employer Hotline on 1800 206 346. Now it’s your chance to shine.