‘Now I need time to myself’: Rosie Batty steps down as foundation CEO

Rosie Batty has stepped down as the CEO of the foundation she built in the wake of her 11-year-old son’s murder.

Former Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty has stepped down as CEO of the foundation she created. Picture: Anna Rogers.

Rosie Batty has stepped down as the CEO of The Luke Batty Foundation, a foundation she built in the wake of her 11-year-old son’s murder, who was killed by his father four years ago.

In a moving letter posted to the foundation’s website and her Twitter page, Ms Batty said after a “gruelling and unrelenting four year in the public eye,” she needed to prioritise her “self-care and recognise my limitations.”

“Now I need time to myself. Time to mourn and remember Luke, the centre of my world,” the statement reads. “Time to spend at home with my beautiful animals that continue to comfort me in ways that only four legged companions can.”

I'm so proud of everything we have achieved. Together we gave victims a voice and demanded our leaders act. I now need some time to myself. While I am not disappearing entirely, I do need to step away for a while. Read my message here: https://t.co/PisQAqjWdc

— Rosie Batty (@RosieBatty1) February 16, 2018

The campaigner thanked her supporters and the foundation for “remembering Luke and for making sure that he didn’t die in vain. My little boy will never be forgotten.”

Foundation Chair Mr Andrew Fairley confirmed Ms Batty’s decision, saying the foundation would also be “wound down”.

Mr Fairley praised Ms Batty’s strength and commitment to social justice.

“Out of the most harrowing of circumstances, Rosie emerged as a leading voice calling for societal change to the way that we speak about, respond to and work to prevent domestic and family violence.”

“On behalf of the board and staff, I extend our sincere and deep appreciation to Rosie,” Mr Fairley said.

The news comes as Ms Batty posted a moving tribute to her son on the four-year anniversary of his death on Sunday.

“It’s four years today since Luke was taken from me. I think of him every day and I’m so glad he hasn’t been forgotten by all of you,” Ms Batty tweeted.

Since Luke’s death shocked the nation, Ms Batty rose above her own personal tragedy to become a prominent campaigner against domestic violence.

She was presented the Australian of the Year award in 2015 for her work and was instrumental in drawing attention to failings in the state service systems, which meant Ms Batty didn’t know Luke’s father had threatened others and repeatedly breached intervention orders.