Australian of the Year Rosie Batty labels domestic violence family terrorism

DOMESTIC violence survivor Rosie Batty has labelled domestic violence family terrorism in a special parliamentary sitting today.

Australian of the Year Rosie Batty cries on stage during her speech at a White Ribbon Day at Broadmeadows town hall with the Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove in Melbourne, on Wednesday Nov. 25, 2015. (AAP Image/Joe Castro) NO ARCHIVING

DOMESTIC violence survivor Rosie Batty has labelled domestic violence family terrorism in a special parliamentary sitting today.

Ms Batty told parliament the story of her son Luke being murdered touched people’s hearts because it was tragic and true, but warned many Australian families were still suffering.

She said recent terror attacks were horrific and warned similar violence of terror was being silently carried out in Victorian homes.

“When we think of terrorism we think about how awful it would be to be beaten,” she said.

“It’s happening now, in people’s homes behind closed doors. Women are being beaten, having their brains blown out.”

She described the fear of women she had met who were forced to continually flee from their attackers and called for Australians to continue to battle the scourge of family violence.

Premier Daniel Andrews opened proceedings by acknowledging it was an important day and called for Victorians to not turn a blind eye to domestic violence during the Christmas season.

“I am proud today to welcome someone into the chamber who’s words moved an entire nation,” he said.

“Christmas Day is now less than a month away. I used to love this time, cherish this time as a boy. This is the very definition of family. Every kid reserves the warm embrace of a family room in December.

“We should think of the children who fear Christmas because it means dad is not working, he is drinking and he is about to come home.”

Mr Andrews said family violence was a private kind of terrorism and needed to be fixed.

Opposition leader Matthew Guy said police received a family violence call every eight minutes.

He warned violence in the home took several forms including intimidation and verbal abuse and said the children of the future needed to be taught to respect women.

Other speakers will included Kristy McKellar who was the face of the Herald Sun’s Take A Stand campaign which encouraged key Victorian figures to talk spit against domestic violence.

Ms McKellar told the chamber of the beatings she had suffered over four years which occurred in front of her one-year-old daughter.

“Family violence destroyed my life. I became a victim of unspeakable cruelty,” she said.

“Being tormented behind closed doors was inhumane.”

Ms McKellar described how the judicial system failed her when the perpetrator walked free on a community corrections order and continued to taunt her.

“I had to move twice and change my car once,” she said.

“I received a lifetime sentence.”

She called for judicial change which held perpetrators to account and helped victims rather than chastising them for coming forward.

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton will also address parliamentary members to discuss how the law was combating violence in the home.

Executive Director of the Islamic Women’s Welfare Council of Victoria Joumanah El Matrah will also address the chamber.

The special sitting day coincides with a 16-day campaign is run in conjunction with the United Nations push to raise awareness.

Iconic buildings around Melbourne will be lit up with orange lights to raise the call to arms for Victoria Against Violence.

Cities across the world will follow suit by making major landmarks orange.

Prevention of Family Violence Fiona Richardson minister said the day was key to raising awareness.

“This special sitting of the Victorian Parliament is an opportunity for us to hear directly from survivors and first responders about their own personal experiences.”

“All of us must play our part and consider what more can be done to help eliminate family violence.”