Jimmy Bartel packs buddy bags for kids living with family violence

FORMER Geelong champ Jimmy Bartel grew up in a family rocked by domestic violence. Now the Brownlow Medallist is doing his bit to help young kids who are growing up in similar environments.

THE heartbreak of young children living with the “dark secret” of family violence continues to drive Brownlow Medallist and former Geelong champion Jimmy Bartel to take a stand against domestic assault.

JIMMY BARTEL SPEAKS OUT ABOUT THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HE EXPERIENCED GROWING UP

Bartel has joined the Alannah and Madeline Foundation as an ambassador after last year speaking of growing up in a family rocked by domestic violence.

“I am packing (Buddy) Bags for zero to 2-year-old boys, and I have an 18-month-old son (Aston), and I can’t even get my mind around the fact that there could be an 18- month-old boy, the same age as my son, that is going to be displaced or affected by neglect or family violence,” Bartel said.

Jimmy packs Buddy Bag's with Sienna, 10, and Mason, 5. Picture: Mark Stewart.

“I just can’t get my head around it, to be honest, especially in this country where we claim to be super progressive and forward country.

“This is rife in our community. The foundation has distributed 75,000 bags and they are going to reach 80,000. It is too many.”

The foundation, which keeps children safe from violence and bullying, provides Buddy Bags with essential items such as toothpaste, toothbrush, pyjamas, socks, a book, hairbrush, face washer and pillowcase, to children in emergency accommodation.

Bartel said he had been overwhelmed by the response he received after sharing his own experiences.

“It is incredibly difficult to speak about because in a sense you feel a little bit embarrassed and ashamed of it,” he said.

“But I think that is a natural position for people to have, especially in Australian society where people tend to bunker down and keep it all inside.

“I have been blown away by the positive feedback, but also saddened by the amount of people who related to my story.

“In a way though that has been a form of inspiration for me to keep going, because there are too many people relating to it and it disappoints me and upsets me how prevalent it is.

“When I am walking down the street or I am in a restaurant or you have a moment by yourself, I have people coming up to me and saying I went through something similar or I know what you are talking about.”

Bartel said he was honoured to have been asked to become an ambassador for the foundation.

“It fits naturally with what I was trying to achieve last year in progressing awareness of, and advocating for, the prevention of domestic violence,” he said.

“It (violence) is not blokey, it is not tough, you are not a hero, you are actually quite the opposite.

“It is the most cowardly thing that you can do to hurt or harm in any form people that you supposedly love. It is actually the lowest act that you can do.”

For more information on the Alannah and Madeline Foundation go to: www.amf.org.au