Left: Jeannie Blackburn (centre) told police cadets the support and perseverance of police officers like Robyn Waite and Scott Poynder was vital in addressingdomestic violence. 57332
Right: Jeannie Blackburn shared her story with The Mail in May this year. By Kath Gannaway
YARRA Valley abuse survivor Jeannie Blackburn delivered a powerful message on White Ribbon Day last week to the young men and women who will be called on to put a stop to domestic violence.
“Because of the support I received from both my family and the police I am able to stand here today … and say ‘no more’,” she told police cadets at the Victorian Police Academy on Thursday 24 November.
Ms Blackburn spoke out in the Mail in May following the jailing of her former partner for five years and six months for a series of vicious bashings, the final one leaving her blind in one eye.
“If I can help one person to avoid the hurt that I have had, and am living with, I have achieved something,” she said.
Ms Blackburn has vowed to continue her commitment to that goal as a volunteer speaker with the Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service.
Deputy Police Commissioner Sir Ken Jones said the approach to domestic violence was something police world-wide had got badly wrong.
He said as a young cop in England he attended a lot of family violence incidents. “The message was that violence in the home was a matter between husband and wife, or partner and partner,” he said. “How wrong that was. That approach led to a lot of homicides, a lot of misery and a lot of victimisation.”
He said domestic violence was now approached from a view of homicide reduction. He told the cadets police could not just walk away. He said Victoria Police now had a progressive strategy on family violence that meant something.
“It is your job to do something about it,” he said.
Supported by family members and Detective Sergeant Scott Poynder and Detective Leading Senior Constable Robyn Waite who investigated the assaults, Ms Blackburn urged the cadets to treat domestic violence as the potential life and death situation it was.
She warned of the frustration they would face in dealing with victims who go back to the abusive partner, or refuse to give evidence when charges were laid.
She said she reported the abuse to police six times. “I backed down believing that the man who professed to love me would seek help; would get better; would stop assaulting me,” she said.
She said studies showed a woman would try to leave up to seven times before making the final break. “That is often when she finds herself in the most danger,” she said.
She said it was vital police knew and understood the behaviours associated with both the abused and the abuser.
Pro-active and supportive policing played a vital role in empowering her to approach police and follow through with charges.
Ms Blackburn had a visit from local police after a relative told Traralgon police officer Adam Lenders of the abuse and injuries.
“He recognised that the violence was escalating and instigated the local police coming to my home to check on my welfare,” she said.
She said Det Poynder and Det Waite had provided her with the support, guidance and strength to see the investigation and court case through.
Her statement took three months to complete.
“Some days Scott and I would only do half an hour of the statement and I would have to stop,” she said.
“It was hard going because I was still in a state of denial, still trying to make excuses for my ex-partner.”
For further information on the White Ribbon Campaign visit www.whiteribbonday.org.au
