Rosie Batty challenges men to ‘step up’ to end domestic violence
Rosie Batty delivers an impassioned speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday. Photo: AAP
Australian men need to step up, take responsibility and stamp out family and domestic violence, Rosie Batty warns.
One woman is murdered by her current or former partner each week in Australia and almost 95 per cent of perpetrators are men.
In an address to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Batty demanded urgent action.
“We don’t hate men, but men need to step up,” she said.
“Men need to be great examples of respect in regard to their sons, to their nephews, to their children.”
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Batty became an anti-family violence campaigner after her 11-year-old son Luke was murdered by his father while playing cricket in Melbourne in 2014.
She was made Australian of the Year in 2015.
In the years since, Batty has remained a fierce advocate for survivors, bringing national attention to the scourge of family and domestic violence.
Asked on Wednesday about ending the violence, Batty said more funding was needed for legal services to help women to escape their persecutors.
“One of the first things you need to do when you are planning to leave is secure legal support,” she said.
Batty described national domestic violence statistics as appalling and overwhelming but said her own journey had been worthwhile as progress had been made.
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She met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House last month to raise awareness about domestic violence.
The pair discussed her new book, Hope, which focuses on grief and finding hope again.
Research released this week highlighted the impact of Andrew Tate, who has millions of online followers drawn to his hyper-masculine and luxurious lifestyle.
For some young men, the self-proclaimed misogynist’s view of the world is one to emulate.
However, a Monash University study found Tate’s ideology was spreading through Australian classrooms in the form of sexism and harassment.
Batty said there shouldn’t be barriers to schools running programs about respectful relationships.
“There is as much resistance from female friends, at times, who are uncomfortable about the conversations they feel shouldn’t be directed at their sons,” Batty said.
“We need to have this critical conversation with our young people.”
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Lifeline 13 11 14
-AAP