Obviously – The word that changed my life.
Obviously! I would never of imagined such a simple word could have such a big impact on how I viewed myself and the world I had lived in. Applying for an AVO I was in court, in the witness box to be precise. I was applying for an interim Apprehended Domestic Violence...
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Proud to be a Penda App Ambassador
This week I had the privilege to go to Canberra to be the Keynote Speaker at Parliament House for the launch of the Penda App. I am also honoured to be the Ambassador. It feels good to be able to give back after all the support I received when I left my abusive...
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Being referred to as a victim is a personal choice.
I am happy to use the word victim to describe myself in my prior life when I lived with abuse. I was a Victim Describing myself as someone who was a victim, to me seems fitting; given I spent most of my life being victimised. I do not see admitting that as a weakness,...
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Listening with knowledge and empathy.
Listening to someone disclosing that they are in an abusive relationship is not easy and whilst I wish I could write a list of things of what to say and what not to say life is just not that simple and domestic violence certainly isn't. Of course, their certain do's...
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So, what does constitute physical abuse?
In my line of work, I hear many stories of abuse every week. Over the years, I have noticed a pattern. Women will say to me, it was never physical abuse, but it was mental and emotional abuse. Then they will go on to tell me things that happened to them while in their...
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Domestic violence – 3 things to do when someone discloses in the workplace
Domestic violence is becoming a mainstream conversation and with that the veil of secrecy is dropping. An environment is being created where more people will reach out for help. Which I know from experience is as difficult as it is important. Disclosure in the...
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Why domestic violence policies without training can be harmful
I have often fantasied about there being domestic violence policies when I was working in corporate whilst at the same time as being in an abusive relationship. Would that support mean a different outcome for me? Could I have kept my career? Would I have had the...
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Why does it take seven times to leave an abusive relationship?
One of the things I am passionate about is reducing the numbers of times it takes someone to leave an abusive relationship. Every time someone returns the negative impact grows. Understanding the complexities of domestic violence is difficult but when you are inside...
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A thank you on International Women’s Day
Today is International Women's Day! It is a day where I stop to think are things getting better in the area of domestic violence? You know I would love to say yes, but if I am honest I would say the answer is a resounding no! We need to keep the conversation going...
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At first I didn’t notice the abuse
I have a bad elbow, it is really painful, even it touching my clothes hurts. It is clear I have done something to injure it. But surely with this pain, that is getting worse I would notice when the injury happened and be able to tell when this pain started. It was...
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