CONTENT WARNING: This article contains a discussion on domestic violence. If this topic could cause you distress of any kind, please be wary of continuing. If you would like to speak to someone about domestic violence, you can speak to the amazing people at 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
This Friday is White Ribbon Day, and while the organisation itself is not without controversy the day remains an important means of discussing and preventing domestic violence.
In the lead up, Labor MP Emma Husar has delivered an incredibly brave, personal speech to parliament about her history as a survivor of domestic violence, both as a child and, currently, as a mother.
She spoke in devastating detail about living with an abusive father, and how the cycle between their home, women’s shelters, and, because he would eventually manage to find these, hotel rooms, managed to perpetuate for so long:
“Each episode of this violence over my 13-years was different but the aftermath was always the same: Dad would apologise, promise to be different, and that would work for just a short time.”
Husar also discussed some of the more terrifying incidents with her father, and, more vaguely, how “there were thirteen police cars the last time physical violence affected her childhood.“
Sadly, she also referenced how, as a woman with children of her own, the last sixteen years of her life have been and continue to be affected by domestic violence.
And while you should watch Husar’s entire, gut-wrenching speech in full, her penultimate line stands out as particularly devastating:
“For many years I was embarrassed and ashamed. I know that I shouldn’t be but I am.”
The long-term effects of domestic violence cannot be overstated, and Husar deserves all the credit in the world for owning her story and, hopefully, using it to help empower others.
You can watch her full speech below:
Source: Facebook.
Photo: Twitter.
