White Ribbon Day: Suzanne Northey shares her story of domestic violence With White Ribbon Day just around the corner, the charity has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the issue of violence against women. Suzanne Northey after her attack. Picture Supplied Source: Supplied Suzanne Northey. TODAY is White Ribbon Day, Australia's only national, male-led primary prevention campaign, which seeks to raise awareness about violence against women. In Australia alone, at least one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner. Suzanne Northey is a survivor. At the annual TwentyFour/7 Cocktail Party, which raises money for McAuely Care in Victoria, she gave a speech about her experience. This was given to news.com.au by White Ribbon Australia, to highlight the plight of women affected by domestic violence, and to show that there is hope. This is her story: My name is Suzanne Northey. I am a journalist. I am the Managing Director of a public relations company. I was a breakfast newsreader on radio for 13 years. I have voice coached some of our national leading athletes, media personalities and business executives. I have a Masters degree. I am a daughter, a sister, a friend. Most importantly I am a single mother to three kids. I am also a victim of domestic violence. The events that see me speaking with you tonight are still very raw. In May this year I was attacked by someone whom I once trusted. After punching me repeatedly in the face and head, he sat on top of me and choked me, all the while telling me that he would put my body in a dumpster. I had never been punched before, let alone punched consecutively in the face and head with such frenzied repetition. It's a surreal feeling as his clenched fist hits my cheek with such a force that I could feel my face fly in another direction. I remember I was too shocked to defend myself or comprehend what was happening. My face felt foreign, like it didn't belong to me anymore, yet I was still conscious and my brain was still working although it's encasing felt like mush -- it is so sudden and so powerful. The skin immediately swells... my cheeks felt like balloons filled with water... I couldn't close my mouth ... and I could taste blood. I couldn't see properly out of my right eye and my left eye was swollen shut. During my attack the faces and Jill Meagher and Julie Ramage were flashing before me and then suddenly the thought of my children hearing that their mothers body had been found in a dumpster jolted me to my senses. "I need water," I said - whilst choking on my own blood and to my shock, the request seemed to break the frenzy. He stopped, got off me and went to the kitchen to get water and told me to clean myself up. I staggered to my feet and escaped out the door and down the fire escape and I collapsed in the hotel bar opposite. I spent three nights in hospital - I was too ashamed to tell my friends and family who my attacker was. I lied and said I had been mugged. In hospital I was alone - I wanted it that way. My phone was flat so I didn't call anyone - I felt so ashamed. I needed time with my thoughts to process what had happened. I was so grateful to the caring and supportive nursing staff, who in their anonymity to me was just what I needed to give me objectivity and perspective. I had no choice with my injuries - I had to go to hospital, but many women suffer in silence with verbal and physical torment, and that's where having a safe houses such as McAuley are a God Send. [It's important] to know there is a place to go for refuge and for safety where the carers are non-judgmental and can support a woman and her children who need help to cope, to make decisions and to know the options in a world that is clouded by fear from a violent partner. It is a huge decision to leave the house and get away from the violence and that's why it's so important to have a safe house with carers who are experienced in helping women cross over into a safer world. 'He' - Nicholas Pribil - was arrested for his attack and pleaded guilty in September this year. He was given a six month suspended sentence. Today he walks the streets and I live in fear of retribution towards myself and my family. Since my attack, several other women have come forward to share with me their horror stories. There are days that I cannot get out of bed let alone leave the house. My whole world has been shattered and as I have said previously, Nicholas Pribil received a six month suspended sentence - I feel my sentence is a lot more severe. The police have since offered me their "sincerest apologies" for the negligence shown whilst handling my case. I was not told about the pending court appearance let alone given the opportunity to give a Victim Impact Statement and tell my side of the story. Six points of the Victim's Charter were broken - police recommended an appeal - the Office of Public prosecutions did not. The Director of the OPP said the sentence was within the guidelines although said if there was a VIS it may have been harsher - EXACTLY MY POINT. With the love and support of my friends and family I am slowly coming to terms with what has happened to me. Some days are better than others. I hope that by telling my story something positive can come out of all of this. For me, I am still not certain of what that is, but in my darkest hours, when I am plagued by fear and despair, I recite the words of Eleanor Roosevelt. We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please seek help. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) is a 24-hour National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line, for any Australian who has experienced or is at risk of family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Or, you can visit the White Ribbon Australia website.