The Rotary Club of Mount Gambier Lakes is taking a stand against domestic and family violence.
A ‘Rotary Clubs of Mount Gambier Say No to Domestic and Family Violence’ dinner was recently held at The Commodore, where people heard from domestic violence survivor Simone O’Brien.
Ms O’Brien suffered a horrific domestic violence attack in 2012, beaten with a baseball bat to within inches of her life.
Her face was struck approximately 50 times, her arm was broken in two places and her three children, two of which witnessed the attack, were called to the hospital to say their goodbyes.
Ms O’Brien now shares her powerful story to raise awareness about domestic violence and said everyone must work together to put an end to it.
“The people in the room, it was fantastic to be able to present to them because the room was silent, they were all trying to take in every aspect that I was talking about,” Ms O’Brien said.
“What Mount Gambier are doing, I take my hat off to them, they should be super proud of themselves they are not sitting back and just letting this ripple effect take place.”
Domestic and family violence will be a Rotary Zone 8 focus and Rotary Club of Portland president Carolyn Millard also spoke on the evening about Portland’s #SayNO2familyviolence project.
“The shocking truth is one female dies at the hands of a perpetrator once a week or even less than that,” Ms Millard said.
“It is something that is preventable and with people modifying behaviour, so we feel that it is something that we can actually impact if people understand that it is not okay.
“It starts off as little things and it can escalate, so if people understand some of the behaviours that are not okay, we can call them out.
“It is up to everybody to do their little bit; everybody can make a stand against domestic violence in some way.
“I think it is great other clubs are connecting and recognising that this is something they can impact as well.”
Ms O’Brien wanted people to be aware of any red flags that may present in a relationship, such as controlling behaviours, belittling attitudes, stealing, telling lies, and inconsiderate actions.
“Any little red flag can turn into a big red flag quickly, so let’s not let any little red flag go under the carpet,” she said.
Ms O’Brien emphasised the importance of speaking up, which she said was never something to be ashamed of.
“If I can speak up, at least it is helping that next person get the confidence to speak up as well, so it is that ripple effect in speaking up as well,” she said.
“If I can change or make one person speak up about what they are going through, whether it is an adult, female or male, or a child, boy or girl, this is where we are going to be able to change that cycle of domestic violence.
“Whoever is the victim, we have got a voice, and we do deserve to speak up, but the most important thing is knowing you are not alone, and the services are there to help you.”
Ms O’Brien advised people escaping a domestic violence situation to gather all documentation such as Medicare numbers, passports and birth certificates to decrease the mental toll.
“Taking all your clothes, that can be dealt with, people will step in and help you, but that bookwork side of things is the most mental side for a man or female when getting out of the situation, because your anxiety is high,” she said.
“Speak out to someone, whether it is your neighbour or whoever, let someone know that you are in trouble, because the services are there to help and can get you out and put you into a shelter at the start but then into a home.”
