Rosie Batty

Rosie Batty is a formidable family violence campaigner who has given a voice to many thousands of victims of domestic violence who previously remained unheard. She was the 2015 Australian of the Year and has been awarded the Pride of Australia’s National Courage Medal for her extraordinary efforts to stop domestic violence which were inspired by her own devastating personal tragedy.

In February 2014, Rosie’s 11-year-old son Luke was murdered by his father after cricket practice at a Melbourne cricket ground. At the time, Greg Anderson was subject to two intervention orders. He was shot dead by police. Just 24 hours later, Rosie both shocked and inspired Australians by speaking out amid her grief to confront a widespread problem.

A tireless campaigner, Rosie established The Luke Batty Foundation and launched the Never Alone Campaign, asking all Australians to stand with her and beside all victims of family violence by signing up at neveralone.com.au.

The former Victorian Police Chief Commissioner, Ken Lay, has praised Rosie Batty as the most ‘remarkable victim’ he has ever met and said that Rosie had put domestic violence on the national agenda. He and Rosie were the founding members of the Council of Australian Governments advisory panel on preventing violence against women. As a result of Rosie’s efforts, the Commonwealth Government launched the Second Action Plan and allocated more than $100 million over four years to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.

Rosie Batty was appointed to lead a Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council for the Victorian Government as a response to the country’s first Royal commission into Family Violence. Additionally she has been appointed as Ambassador for Lort Smith Animal Hospital and Patron of Doncare Community Services.

Rosie was named one of Fortune Magazine’s top 50 world’s greatest leaders, she has been voted the most influential person in the Not for Profit sector on Pro Bono Australia’s Impact 25 list and inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.

Rosie Batty has shown that the system isn’t working to ensure the safety of those who find themselves in these circumstances and that family violence can happen to anyone. Through her determination to bring the issue out of the shadows and into broad daylight, Rosie has become a champion for domestic violence victims, demanding systemic changes, political leadership and reforms to the courts system.

An articulate and powerful speaker, Rosie Batty’s extraordinary story is one of resilience and courage. Her incredible strength and selfless efforts are an inspiration to all.