264: Luke Batty

In February 2014, Rosie Batty warned authorities about her son's father, Greg, who had become violent and made threats against both their lives. Despite her warnings, the courts did not take the situation seriously until it culminated in a public attack where Greg murdered 11-year-old Luke Batty before being shot by police. The episode details Rosie’s heartbreaking journey as a mother trying to protect her son from abuse, her difficult relationship with Greg, and the systemic failures that allowed Greg to repeatedly breach protective orders without facing consequences.

Rosie's history with Greg is explored, highlighting his controlling behavior, violent rages, and mental health struggles, which often went undiagnosed. Despite an array of red flags, authorities repeatedly released Greg without effective intervention. Following Luke's tragic death, Rosie became an advocate for reforming the family violence system and raising awareness about domestic violence, eventually founding the Luke Batty Foundation. The inquest into Luke's death acknowledged many systemic issues and made recommendations to prevent such tragedies in the future, emphasizing the need for better accountability for perpetrators. Through her advocacy, Rosie has strived to honor her son's memory and work towards a future free of domestic violence.