Jimmy Bartel was 4 years old as he watched his mother crawling away from the abusive hands of his father.
Now, the former footballer and father-of-two says decades on, raising awareness of domestic violence is just as important to him.
“We’re still not getting the message across. I know that the attitudes and the conversations are changing but I feel like we’ve got to maintain the momentum,” the ambassador for the Alannah & Madeline Foundation – an organisation which aims to keep children safe from violence – tells WHO.
“When you still turn on the news or the radio or you pick up a newspaper there are still women and children dying. That’s the thing, they’re dying at the hands of people who claim to be their loved ones, “ he continued.
The statistics are clear proof that, on average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner.
“I think we’re [a] pretty progressive and forward country, but this is a shocking thing going on in our society. I think in the past it was a subject that we kept to ourselves, like a little secret, no-one spoke up or helped each other out.”
The sports commentator has teamed up with the Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s Buddy Bags program – backpacks containing basic, essential items including toothbrush,
toothpaste, hairbrush, pillowcase, facewasher, PJs, underwear and socks, as well as a book, activity kit, photo frame and a teddy bear – which are given to children who have entered emergency accommodation due to living in broken homes.
Bartel, who shares sons, Aston, 3, and baby Henley, 2 months, with lifestyle blogger wife Nadia, says parenthood has triggered his passion for this project even further.
“I think since becoming a father it’s put a lot of things into perspective. First and foremost the admiration for my has just gone to another level,” he tells WHO.
“What she had to endure, the way she battled on – I think it’s amazing and the respect I have for my mum has increased.
“It still baffles me and I can’t comprehend that people would actually do that to their own partner or children,” the loving father says.
“I get confused in what would even possess someone to do something like that. I know there are all sorts of issues at play that people have, but that’s not a thought that should cross your mind.”
Given he has undergone the experience himself, Bartel recommends young children who are surrounded by domestic violence seek guidance from someone they trust.
“Find someone who you trust and you’re comfortable with. I think the worst thing you can do is remain in silence … Whether that be sporting clubs or a school teacher, or even another family member or a friend who is a bit older that you can trust and have those conservations with.”
A conversation the doting dad is happy to have, though, is about his little ones.
“He’s going well, getting nice and chubby,” Bartel says about their new addition, Henley. “He’s eating all his food and his big brother absolutely adores him.
“Aston tells all his friends at childcare that he’s got a little brother named Henley and he wants to hold him all the time,” he shares. “Every morning he gives him a kiss and when he cries he tells him it’s OK. I think he just wants him to hurry up and start walking so he can play with him more.”
Despite the adorable moments, he assures WHO the family is not perfect and like most new parents have their fair share of challenges.
“We don’t have a spare second … if you’ve got more than one child, you’ve just got to roll with it. You’re never going to have the house 100 per cent clean, you’re never going to be so on time with things,” he says.
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