Three months ago, a 14-year-old girl wrote to NSW government, weeks after the suicide death of her mother, and asked them to “educate children about domestic violence and how to seek help”.
Today, her wish comes true as a raft of major changes are announced to the 7-10 school syllabus that will specifically focus on domestic violence prevention.
Rachel’s powerful letter said that if domestic violence had been addressed in her class, she would have recognised that what was happening inside her own home was not normal and helped “save” her mum.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Pru Goward revealed it was those words – and Rachel’s extraordinary bravery in speaking out – that ultimately triggered the reforms, adding: “Through this update to the syllabus, schools can provide a significant platform for helping young people to identify, report and protect themselves and others from abuse.”
Rachel herself, confessed to feeling “shocked” after news filtered through from the NSW government on Thursday.
“I’m stoked,” she said of a 12-week journey that has involved meetings with ministers, commissioners and most recently, standing up at a police rally where she closed a moving speech with the following words: “My determination to see education on domestic violence in schools gets stronger day by day.”
In April, Fairfax Media revealed how Rachel had posted an online campaign through Change.org relating to her family’s tragic plight.
In an accompanying letter addressed to the NSW Education Department, she said: “I am 14 years old and I have been a victim of domestic violence. I didn’t know that what happened in my home was different to any other family home, as a child how could I have known any better?”
– Eamonn Duff
Source: How a 14-year-old domestic violence sufferer changed the NSW Department of Education school syllabus
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