Yahoo Lifestyle Rosie Batty Launches Anti-Domestic Violence App
Rosie Batty. Photo: Getty Images.
Rosie Batty has launched an app aimed at helping young women in violent relationships.
The 2015 Australian Of The Year winner has been tirelessly campaigning against domestic violence since her 11-year-old son Luke was murdered by his father a year ago.
Now Batty has launched the iMatter app, which is designed to empower young women and help them make choices about the relationships they're in.
"I think throughout our communities, at any age, we're learning it's not just about physical violence," she said.
"Violence is also psychological, which includes verbal. It's not just about wearing a black eye and physical harm, it's far more complex than that."
Batty said it wasn't until she was 40 that she realised it wasn't her fault – and that she wants to help young women in a similar position.
"If you're approaching a relationship when you have no self esteem you're most likely to enter into a toxic relationship," Batty said.
"It will not get better, it will wear you down and will reduce you to a very low point."
Batty’s app, which was launched in conjunction with Doncare, includes images, quizzes and articles, and enables users to share and save content.
Doncare clinical director Carmel O'Brien described it as “driving lessons for relationships”.
"We hear again and again from young people that they are putting up with things in relationships that are really very disrespectful and sometimes frightening," she said.
Batty recently penned a touching tribute to her son recalling her final days with the 11-year-old.
"You didn't want to go to cricket practice that night.... But I did what a good mum does and made you follow through with your commitment," she wrote.
"You were animated and pleased when you came over and spoke to me for the last time... You knew your cricket was improving and you were proud of how you had begun to play. It had all started to come together for you."
Luke was attacked and killed by his father, Greg Anderson, at a cricket oval in Melbourne on February 12 last year.
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