The inspirational story of Anj Barker will be a driving force for the GIANTS when they play for the White Ribbon Cup against the Swans on Saturday.
The GIANTS are strong supporters of White Ribbon, Australia’s only national, male led campaign to end men's violence against women.
As part of the club’s community program, GIANTS Care, the club’s players and staff were introduced to the story of Anj Barker this week, a young woman from Benalla in country Victoria.
At 16, Anj’s life changed forever when she was brutally bashed to near death by an ex-boyfriend.
She suffered severe brain damage and was in hospital, rehabilitation and a nursing home for three years, before returning home to full time care. Anj now lives independently while employed at the NAB Bank.
Despite the enormous challenges she faces daily, Anj is determined to open the hearts and minds of others.
She campaigns to educate the public on anti-violence through talking to innumerable students, men, women, health workers, police and politicians. Anj empowers others to say ‘no’ to violence, by advocating respectful relationships.
With one woman a week in Australia is killed as a result of intimate partner violence, Anj visited the GIANTS’ Learning Life Centre to raise awareness of the issue of domestic violence and to encourage all men to take the White Ribbon pledge.
White Ribbon encourages all men to swear to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.
As part of the club’s GIANTS Care program, Anj also spoke to over 300 students from schools in south west Sydney at a Healthy Relationships and Domestic Violence conference.
GIANTS Care is a major community initiative that will see the club double it’s community outcomes and further enrich the lives of people in Western Sydney.
This initiative covers key areas including social cohesion, numeracy, literacy, health, environment, science, nutrition, youth employment and leadership.
To find out more about GIANTS Care, click here
Hear more of Anj’s story or get in touch with her at anjbarker.com.au
Visit whiteribbon.org.au for more on Australia’s campaign to stop violence against women
