Rosie Batty: ‘One hard truth’ about Australia’s domestic violence epidemic

A decade after losing her son to a horrific act of domestic violence, victim-survivor Rosie Batty has shared a powerful message.

‘It’s our job still to not let people who are experiencing violence be swept aside’, Rosie Batty said. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Despite a royal commission and millions of dollars being allocated towards domestic violence prevention, women and children are still being murdered at an alarming rate in Australia.

This was the stark message carried by anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty as she reflected on the 10 years that have passed since her 11-year-old son Luke was murdered by his father while at cricket training on February 12, 2014.

“Truth be told, the decade gone by weighs heavily on me in many ways. No day goes by when I don’t think about Luke,” Ms Batty told the National Press Club.

“No awards, no applause and no accolades will bring him back to me.

“But, as we continue to change the story on domestic violence in this country, I take some comfort in knowing that I honour his memory in everything I do.”

Rosie Batty with her son, Luke. Picture: Picture: Supplied

Last year, about 64 women were killed in incidents of violence across Australia. As of 2024, the number of known deaths currently stands at 16, according to Counting Dead Women Australia.

Indigenous women are six times more likely to be victims of homicide due to domestic violence than non-Indigenous women.

Ms Batty, one of the nation’s most prominent family violence prevention advocates and 2015 Australian of the Year, believes the federal government’s goal to end violence against women and children in a decade is an achievable reality.

But doing so will take serious, long-term investment towards anti violence organisations and crisis response groups, she urged.

“This is work that takes specialised skills, resources, and a long-term bipartisan commitment,” Ms Batty said.

“I think it is a bold statement and an important statement - and we need to keep making the government accountable to this promise.”

Changing attitudes is only one side to the coin, Ms Batty said.

Women aren’t the only persistent victims experiencing violence in Australia. According to the findings of a recent study into child maltreatment, more than 39 per cent of children have been exposed to family and domestic violence.

Ms Batty said there was one “hard truth” to accept when searching for answers.

“Nearly everyone who has experienced violence in this country, mostly women and children, did so at the hands of a man,” she said.

“More than 94 per cent of perpetrators are men. We must hold those perpetrators to account, yes, but we must also instil in our boys something better than this narrow and damaging definition we use to describe a “real man”.

Men need to hold each other accountable to prevent violence.

Speaking to a rise in young Australian men becoming radicalised online by right-wing figures such as Andrew Tate, Ms Batty said critical conversations needed to be had with the nation’s young people.

“There is a lot of resistance from parents who may not understand the genuine tension behind respectful relationships and so everything comes from a position of fear about change,” she said.

“What are we fearful of? The world is such a happier, better place with all of us being able to reach our potential, not have barriers that we are hitting against all of the time and to be supportive and encouraging of each other.”