[VIDEO Interview]

Why Rosie Batty will never let him win

Rosie Batty describes herself as having a ‘celebrity status no one wants’.

If you’re Australian, I’m sure you’ll never forget the day we first heard Rosie’s name.  I won’t.

In 2014 Rosie Batty’s ex murdered her only son whilst he was at cricket practice.

It was a brutal and public death.

Luke was 11-years old.

Within hours Rosie faced the media. Despite unimaginable grief, her raw and articulate words stopped the nation and we listened.

What Rosie Batty said

“Family violence happens to everybody. No matter how nice your house is, how intelligent you are. It happens to anyone and everyone”.

In that moment Rosie gave domestic violence a much needed face and voice.

She was honoured with the prestigious title Australian of the Year in 2015 and has been making a huge difference ever since.

She’s now decided to step away from the limelight to give herself some well deserved time to grieve. But first, she kindly agreed to let me interview her.

I can’t thank Rosie enough for that.  It was such an honour and privilege to meet her.

Rosie Batty Interview with Vivian McGrath

In this interview Rosie Batty tells me:

04’00” – why she said the words she said just hours after Luke’s death.

04’45” – how her mother’s death when she was 6-years-old helped her to cope with her grief over Luke’s death.

07″39′ – why it was no coincidence Rosie found herself in a toxic relationship with her ex and the trauma and abandonment issues she has from her childhood.

08’46” – what London Tube Bombing victim Gill Hicks told her about grieving and how grief has impacted on Rosie’s life’

11″39′ – what the Head of Homicide told her after Luke’s murder and why it gave her some peace.

12’07” – why Greg chose to murder the sone he loved so much.  The dreadful damage he has inflicted on Rosie, but why she won’t let him win.

12’52” – her 12-year journey of abuse and how friends and family weren’t always helpful.

14″25′ – why no-one understands the level of fear you have when standing up to an abusive partner.

15″50′ – why domestic violence can happen to anyone.

16″17′ – how she didn’t understand she was in a violent relationship and why she ignored the warning signs.

18″11′ – things she’s never talked about before, such as why intimacy in the bedroom can also be a form of abuse.

19″07′ – the moment she realised she was in a violent relationship and why she was so confused.

20″47′ – how the courts and legal systems fail victims.

21″22′ – why choking is an absolute indicator you will be killed by your partner.

22″04′ – why psychological abuse and stalking behaviours are so dangerous.

22″26′ – why red flags are danger signs and her advice to anyone experiencing emotional abuse.

24″35′ – how and why Greg could have murdered the son he loved so much.

26″31′ – why it was no coincidence Greg murdered Luke when he did so.

28″20′ – how Greg manipulated the court system to abuse her.

28″39′ – why Rosie was predisposed to meet a man like Greg.

29″55′ – why believing domestic violence ends when you leave an abusive partner is a myth.

31″25′ – how she was in an abusive relationship before Greg and what she learnt from it.

32″00′ – why Greg never loved her and it wasn’t a healthy relationship.

32″32′ – how she’s never had a healthy relationship and what she needs to ask herself.

33″57′ – how her journey to recovery has been a long one, but how she began to heal.

36″10′ – why Greg murdered Luke when he did and his motivation for doing so.

38″41′ – the prophetic words Greg told her before he murdered Luke.

39″19′ – why suicidal ideation is a danger sign an abusive partner will murder.

40″07′ – why she’s never said a bad word about Greg and forgiven him.

42″06′ – the shocking extent of family violence and how we can stop this epidemic.

44″35 – Why she will never regret the choices she made in the past and how she’s still a vulnerable little girl inside.

I know you’ll find Rosie Batty as courageous as I do.

She’s made such a huge difference in how we view this epidemic and treat domestic abuse victims.

She has created a legacy of which I am sure her beautiful son Luke would be proud.  He will never be forgotten and has not died in vain.

Thank you Rosie from the bottom of my heart.  I hope you stay strong and can find some peace in your life.

Here’s Rosie Batty:

Rosie Batty’s book

If you like to buy Rosie Batty’s moving autobiography click here:  A Mother’s Story

Let me know what you think of Rosie’s interview in the comments below.

If you are experiencing family violence please find help and support here:  domestic violence resources