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Rosie Batty
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A Mother's Story Paperback – 21 September 2015

by Rosie Batty (Author), Bryce Corbett (Contributor)
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,320
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A profoundly moving and inspiring memoir from Australia's domestic violence crusader, Rosie Batty.

Rosie Batty knows pain no woman should have to suffer. Her son was killed by his father in a violent incident in February 2014, a horrendous event that shocked not only the nation, but the world. Greg Anderson murdered his 11-year-old son Luke and was then shot by police at the Tyabb cricket oval. Rosie had suffered years of family violence, and had had intervention and custody orders in place in an effort to protect herself and her son. She believes the killing was Greg's final act of control over her.

Since the events of last February, Rosie has become an outspoken crusader against domestic violence, winning hearts and mind all over Australia with her compassion, courage, grace and forgiveness. In the wake of the tragedy, Rosie's advocacy work has forced an unprecedented national focus on family violence, with the Victorian Labor government establishing Australia's first royal commission into family violence, and committing a further $30 million over four years to protect women and children at high risk of family violence. The then Victorian Police Commissioner Ken Lay called it 'the Rosie Batty factor'. In January 2015, Rosie was named Australian of the Year, 2015.

Inspiring, heartfelt and profoundly moving, this is Rosie's story.

A percentage of royalties from sales of this book are going to the Luke Batty Foundation.

'A brave, resolute and heart-breaking tale' - Sydney Morning Herald

'Every Australian should read this book' - Tracey Spicer

'Just finished A Mother's Story. Loved it. Cried. Got angry. Important book, beautifully written' - Juanita Phillips

'This highly emotional book ... She suffers but she is not a victim. Batty is comforting and terrifying. She is protector and avenger... She has moral authority and dignity ... compelling.' ABR

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  1. Print length
    336 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    HarperCollins - AU
  4. Publication date
    21 September 2015
  5. Dimensions
    15.3 x 2.6 x 23.3 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1460750551
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1460750551
  8. See all details
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Product description

About the Author

In an incident that shocked Australia, Rosie Batty's 11-year-old son was killed by his father in a violent incident in February 2014. Greg Anderson murdered Luke Batty at cricket training and was then himself shot by police. Rosie has since become a passionate campaigner on the issue of family violence. She won the Pride of Australia Award in 2014, and was named Australian of the Year in January 2015.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins - AU (21 September 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1460750551
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1460750551
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.3 x 2.6 x 23.3 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 1,320

About the author

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Rosie Batty

Rosie Batty

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Top reviews from Australia

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars An honest look at life and domestic violence
Reviewed in Australia on 3 June 2023
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"A Mother's Story" is a profoundly moving and heart-wrenching memoir written by Rosie Batty, an Australian domestic violence campaigner and advocate. In this gripping account, Rosie recounts her journey as a mother who tragically lost her son, Luke, to an act of extreme domestic violence committed by his own father. The book serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and sheds light on the urgent need for awareness and action to combat domestic violence.
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VIC & Stel
4.0 out of 5 stars Disturbing
Reviewed in Australia on 7 February 2016
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I enjoyed reading Rosie's story & acknowledge that it's a story we hear way too often . Unbelievable how she & Luke are let down repeatedly by our system , even to the last tragic act . Our courts & legal system are in dire need of an overhaul & a good shake up . I couldn't imagine the fear & frustration women like Rosie live through just trying to keep their children safe . My only little criticism is that it seemed to take a long time to get into the crux of the story . But what a sad & shocking story it is . I sincerely hope Rosie finds some happiness in her life , she deserves it after so many years of stress . She did everything she possibly could . RIP little man Luke , you were so loved .
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rose
5.0 out of 5 stars Reviewed by Author Rose Petch ...also a relationships writer.....Very impressed!
Reviewed in Australia on 14 November 2015
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I loved Rosie's account of her ordeal which has the potential to help many women in their challenges with domestic violence. This book is so engaging and interesting on so many levels. This book provides so many clues about what to avoid in terms of staying safe in a relationship and keeping your children safe. In my own (self help) book published at the end of 2014, I include a whole chapter about what to avoid in relationships and Rosie, I would imagine, would agree that she unintentionally overlooked many warning signs because of her passion to always do the best for her son and not 'deprive him of a father'. There is absolutely no criticism intended by this remark as we all fall short of ideal when we are 'in a corner'. My understanding of family violence and how complex it is has been greatly enhanced by reading Rosie's gutsy, frank, endearing and humble account of events that she and her (now deceased) son Luke experienced. When Rosie does reach out for help.....her pleas are minimised by 'the systems' in place ...and the story unfolds in the most tragic of ways. Finally Rosie is able to direct her pain and loss towards helping others with vital clues related to some of the issues that shape the wellbeing of all, in our community. Thank you Rosie
Reviewer: Rose Petch, Author of 'A Love Guide out of The Blue: Romance and Marriage Too'
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Sir Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, confronting story of domestic violence
Reviewed in Australia on 27 August 2022
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Rosie Batty endured an unimaginable disaster - the murder of her eleven-year-old son by his father. She tells her story with great candour. Her campaign against domestic violence and being named Australian of the Year makes her an all-time hero. Her book should be compulsory reading for all who seek to learn about - and put an end to domestic violence.
One person found this helpful
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Catmistress
5.0 out of 5 stars A Book That Shouldn't Have Been Necessary
Reviewed in Australia on 3 October 2015
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Today, Rosie Batty should have been a mother happily raising her son Luke in the semi-rural Victorian town of Tyabb. Instead, following the brutal murder of Luke by Ms Batty's ex-partner, she is Australian of the Year and a fierce advocate for change, both legal and societal, in the area of domestic violence.
This book will answer all the "but how...." and "but why..." questions that people may have about the events leading up to that horrible fateful day, on the day and after. It is not an easy subject to read about, but if people have to live with domestic violence day in day out, then taking two hours out of my life to make an effort to understand what some go through is the least I can do.
Luke's murder was and is a tragedy, and it is a tragedy that this book is necessary.
6 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars This a story close to my heart being a community ...
Reviewed in Australia on 21 February 2016
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This a story close to my heart being a community member. How Rosie has coped is far differently to how I would I think in the same position. It is so real in our daily lives, with what the news reports, who we think we know being our neighbours and people who we are made to respect and trust in our community. The book brings much of our everyday living to life and for some living in similar ways of life inspiration and connectedness. It really was an eye opener to what levels people will go to to get what they want or need spending they disease of control!
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Katiek
5.0 out of 5 stars Rosie Batty is an Inspiration and this book was full of courage and bravery
Reviewed in Australia on 5 September 2018
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I couldn’t put this book down. After hearing about the loss of Luke and the domestic violence that Rosie and Luke endured, I realised I needed to read it. As a survivor of domestic violence myself, this book his too close to home but was a lovely reminder that we can use the horrible tragedies in our life to inspire us to create change and honour all those who have been lost to domestic violence, like luke. May he Rest In Peace and May Rosie find peace and be forever aware that Luke will always be with her.
One person found this helpful
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Peter Pullar
5.0 out of 5 stars The often hidden truth about domestic violence
Reviewed in Australia on 9 January 2016
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I know several people who have suffered from domestic violence. I wanted to know more about solutions and ways of dealing with it.
A friend recommended that I read this book.
In it, Rosie Batty shares her own experience of the fear, isolation and lack of support. How time after time, she was let down by the police, the courts and our legal system which are unable to provided the protection that she and her son needed. The frustration of being repeatedly thwarted in her wholehearted efforts to do what is best for her child.
I am grateful to my friend for recommending that I read this book and I strongly applaud Rosie Batty for her leadership and her mission to free families from domestic violence.
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Top reviews from other countries

Schizanthus Nerd
5.0 out of 5 stars Red Flags Everywhere
Reviewed in the United States on 6 April 2024
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“Sometimes, unless you’ve lived through something, you don’t quite understand.”

This is one of the most infuriating books I’ve ever read. Don’t get me wrong; it’s not because it’s not well written. Seeing the series of events that led up to Luke Batty’s murder and the opportunities that were missed by the police and the child protection and court systems laid out one after another, and knowing where it was leading had me seeing red. This book includes so many red flags, I started wondering if that’s what it should have been called.

Rosie did everything she could to protect her son. She called the police and provided information to them about Greg’s whereabouts when there were warrants out for his arrest. She cooperated with child protection. She attended court date after court date. To say that Rosie and Luke Batty were failed by the system is an understatement.

If I was Rosie, I’m sure I’d be a big ball of rage. Rosie, though, went into action mode. From the first time she spoke to the media to now, Rosie has been advocating for change.

Rosie’s insights should make this a must read for anyone working in a helping profession. Readers who have experienced domestic or family violence will identify with Greg’s behaviours and the agonising position Rosie was in.

This book is heartbreaking. It’s also a testament to a mother’s love for her child and her concerted effort to protect him.

Full review, including content warnings, can be found on my blog.
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S. Daniel
4.0 out of 5 stars Very sad but enlightening...helped me understand a lot more about domestic violence and why more support is needed..
Reviewed in India on 18 September 2018
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A very sad but enlightening read about abuse. Quite shocking that this happened in Australia...
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Christine A
5.0 out of 5 stars Hard to put this book down
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 June 2016
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Compelling, thought-provoking, poignant and exceptionally well written
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AC Too
4.0 out of 5 stars Frustrating and tragic
Reviewed in the United States on 30 October 2018
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As the mom of a daughter who is 6-months-out of a violent marriage, has two small daughters, and whose abusive husband is blaming her for his abuse of her - who manipulated her for fifteen years, exploding at her, hurting her, then saying she made him do it - I have a different response to this book then I would have had I read it a year ago. Our daughter has two master's degrees, is a valued director in a large corporation, and didn't get out until her life was threatened. She is in danger still, afraid he will kidnap their girls, or kill her. He's taken all the money and assets, and the courts aren't helpful. So, did we know? We knew he was rude, demeaning, angry, and explosive, but never would we have thought that she would let anyone physically assault her. Now we know much more - his porn, alcohol, and gambling addictions to name three - and as she continues therapy she's getting better. Why do they pick these guys, and keep letting them have entrance to their lives? Who knows? Something's amiss from the beginning, and once they are isolated by their abuser they have no one to tell.

The nightmare never ends for these victims - the abusers are in their lives, and their children's lives, for many many years. The manipulation, the attempt to control, the aberrant behavior, continue. I used to think, "Just get out. Why do you keep letting it happen?" Now I get it, to some extent.

So Rosie, keep talking. Courts, attorneys, and especially potential victims, need to understand why this happens, and why it continues. Courts could help a lot more than they do. Kudos for your courage!
3 people found this helpful
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AussieMum
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect title for this tragic story
Reviewed in the United States on 10 September 2016
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How agonising it must have been for Rosie to write this story after already living through it. To be able to honestly document the beauty that she also had in her life besides all the pain and fear. Maybe just to remember the beauty at all after such a gut wrenching loss. Thank you for sharing this with us, especially those of us who also live with the guilt and grief of being a victim of domestic violence. And bless Luke.
One person found this helpful
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