Australian White Ribbon Advocate Simone O’Brien will continue to educate the community about family violence during visits to Queensland.
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A family violence survivor herself, Mrs O’Brien has become a leading voice in provoking changing attitudes.
She spent a month in a Brisbane hospital’s intensive care unit fighting for her life.
The perpetrator was found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to 15 years' jail.
He will be eligible for parole in 2025.
“Each day I find another door has opened – like Kay McGrath wants me to jump on Channel 7. It just keeps getting bigger and bigger everyday,” Mrs O’Brien said.
Mrs O’Brien plans to return to Brisbane to speak with the doctor who saved her life. She will also speak to her previous workplace about her experience.
“I have mixed feelings. I am proud of myself for speaking out because I never spoke out at work before,” Mrs O’Brien said.
She has visited schools in the Wimmera previously – including Horsham’s St Brigid’s College on Friday.
“The students were listening and taking in the message,” she said.
“They were so quiet that you could her a pin drop in the room.”
Mrs O’Brien said having year nine boys, Tom Butler and Zac O’Brien, stepping out and spreading the message was amazing.
“Being a small community, I just can’t thank everyone enough of how they have re-framed my whole family in the support they were giving us,” Mrs O’Brien said.
Mrs O’Brien has several projects organised throughout the year.
Mrs O’Brien will film with the Western Bulldog’s strength series on Tuesday and she is working towards launching the white ribbon flag in September.
The AFL women’s league also want to get involved and will visit Horsham this week.