2016 White Ribbon day service in Bunbury | photos

The White Ribbon day service, hosted by Radiowest South West presenter Cliff Reeve, focused on the fact that 67 women in Australia have been killed this year by an intimate or ex-partner in a violent situation. Nineteen of them were from Western Australia. 

Domestic violence survivor Rachel Day shared the harrowing tale of how her partner in 2013 beat her so badly she thought she would die. 

“This man seemed charming at first and he swept me off my feet,” she told the crowd. 

“But over the coming months his behaviour changed and he became jealous, manipulative and controlling. 

“I could see what was happening but thought if I loved him enough I could fix him.”

Ms Day said she never met his friends or family and didn’t realise he was isolating her from those in her social circle. 

“As things got worse I needed the police’s help a few times and one officer in particular urged me not to take him back but I fell for the remorse,” she said. 

“A week later I almost lost my life in an horrific beating.

“It was four hours of hell and terror to the maximum degree that left me with a broken nose, broken ribs, bleeding on the brain and facial fractures.

“If only I had listened to the advice I was given by the officer.” 

Ms Day said while she was recovering in hospital she became adamant she would use her story to make a difference.

“I talk openly about my experience and I’m not ashamed of my story,” she said. 

“People need to know that enough is enough and that women do not need to suffer in silence. This abuse has to stop.”

For more information or to make a donation visit whiteribbon.org.au.