Domestic Violence Awareness Month: My Story
A letter from the chair of the SRC
Content Warning: This article discusses domestic violence. Reader discretion is advised.
In recognition of the fact that May marks domestic violence awareness month and my role as a leader within the Griffith community, today I use the platform of my role to break my silence.
For those who don’t know me, my name is Spencer Holzheimer.
I’m the proud chair of the Griffith SRC and a proud domestic violence survivor.
I remember the cold winter night only 3 years ago when my mother walked into my bedroom and quietly said the five words that would change my life forever: “He’s asleep… pack your bags”.
I remember the cocktail of emotions when the final car door closed and the deafening silence that followed as we began the long drive to safety.
But above all else, I remember the failure of both government and university services in the days that followed.
Such services are founded on the idea that those truly in need should be willing to jump through all the hoops necessary to access support, without any recognition of the reality that those in need rarely have the time, capacity or hope necessary to navigate a maze of bureaucracy in their darkest hour.
In contrast to this inaccessibility is the immediate and immense role of the community.
While the ability and willingness of community members to step up in supporting, uplifting and protecting those in crisis is a deeply empowering experience, the reliance on such a social network for crisis support stands as a profound indictment of the inaccessibility of official support systems.
Because of this, while advocacy for systemic change remains central to saving lives, the current conditions highlight the role of every member of every community, every workplace, and every friend group in supporting and protecting those in crisis.
It is my greatest privilege to lead a student organisation that embodies these values, and I encourage all members of the community to stay active and vigilant, and to take pride in their willingness to have the hard conversations and to lead, safeguard and protect their communities against violence of all kinds.
It’s easier to live with the discomfort of a hard conversation than the pain of hindsight.
No longer a victim, forever a survivor.
Sincerely,
Spencer Holzheimer
Chair, Griffith University Student Representative Council
Support Contacts
If you or someone you know needs support due to Domestic Violence, or if you need to reach out for other mental health support, we are here, and we see you. Please review our list of student-specific support services here, or you can visit 1800respect.org.au.
