Well, I am rachel.I am 14 years old and I have been a victim of domestic violence.I didnt know that what happened in my home was different to any other family home, as a child how could I have known any better? My three brothers,mother and I just accepted the ongoing abuse (whether it be verbal,emotional or physical) , I wanted help ,but didn't know how to get it. If I had known any better, my family would have been safe and a lot happier than what we were. We were scared,naive , and alone.All victims of domestic violence, my family got torn apart. After a major DV incident, my brothers,mum and I immediately and became homeless for nine solid months. The police were involved this time ,and that's when i realised how serious domestic violence is. I began to develop major mental illnesses such as;Bulimia , Depression,Anxiety ,dissociating issues, and many more.My mum had been dealing with severe depression years before that and nobody had a clue,and my two other brothers had to cope by putting on a brave face.After nine horrible months,we found a house and moved in with mum and my two brothers,aswell as myself.We settled in but were all silent sufferers of neverending sadness. The domestic violence eventually came back into place,but not as severe.. My mum couldn't cope after approximately 8 or so months. She killed herself four weeks ago,she was the only person I ever needed in my life ,I miss her so much.If domestic violence was addressed within the public schools educational criteria ,i could have gotten help and saved my mum.We need the NSW education system to teach their students About domestic violence,nobody deserves to go through what I have been through. By doing so , Children/adolescents will begin to speak up and get the help their family needs. We cant let this issue go on.PLEASE help by signing my petition ,thankyou.
