Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
ANTI-DOMESTIC violence campaigner Rosie Batty talked about her childhood, song lyrics and the need for men to make changes at Bendigo's domestic violence conference on Wednesday.
Ms Batty, whose son Luke was killed by his father earlier this year, was speaking at a panel discussion about the correlation between rigid gender roles and violence against women.
Ms Batty, 52, said she grew up in an English village where most women didn't work or drive.
But she said once one woman got her drivers licence, others followed and soon all of the women were driving and having greater control over their lives.
She said this was one example of how social change was possible.
But she said sweeping changes had to be made to end domestic violence.
She referred to the Tom Jones song Delilah as an example of ways domestic violence was irresponsibly portrayed in popular culture.
The song describes a man who stabs his girlfriend to death upon discovering her having an affair.
Ms Batty said the song was an example of ways domestic violence was dismissed.
Ms Batty said it was disappointing Jones performed the song at this year's AFL grand final.
"I hope we have a point where we can look at songs and lyrics and see those lyrics are unacceptable," she said.
"I've lived through my partner losing control of me and killing the person I love most so I would have to suffer for the rest of my life."
She said the focus of violence prevention needed to be on shaming the perpetrator and sending the message that violence was not acceptable.
"This is a life sentence," she said of having to live without her son. "It's a basic human right that we should be safe in our homes."
Ms Batty won a Pride of Australia courage medal on Monday.