Jelena Dokic has opened up concerning the “scars” she continues to dwell with 20 years on from her traumatic childhood.
“My experience as a domestic violence victim was something I couldn’t talk about for a very long time,” she tells 9Honey Celebrity.
“As a victim, you are scared to speak out, and you are afraid of how your story will be received in society, and you are afraid of what could be coming around the corner.
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The former World Number 4 tennis player, who is now 39, famously fled a domestic violence situation at 19. She had spent her childhood being relentlessly verbally and physically abused by her father and tennis coach, Damir Dokic.
Dokic has shared countless memories of the abuse she was subjected to in interviews and, most notably, in her 2017 memoir, Unbreakable.
Over the years, the retired athlete has risen as a fierce advocate for domestic violence victims, using her platform to raise awareness and inspire better and more available services.
“The impacts and the scars of domestic violence stick with you for the remainder of your life, and it isn’t simply tough when you’re within the state of affairs,” she says.
“It is tough then, and from each second after. When you resolve to depart and escape, there’s out of the blue a lot extra worry, since you are weak, and you’re left to determine what beginning over seems to be like.”
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For Dokic, the expertise of beginning over was greater than tough. After she left house in 2002, the younger tennis star was left on the streets together with her luggage and her racket.
At that point the assist out there for victims was shut to none, however Dokic notes she was “fortunate to be a skilled athlete, who might earn cash, and earn it shortly.”
“For many different ladies, whether or not they be younger women, older or with youngsters, the choice to depart their household comes with a lot hesitation,” Dokic says.
“The anxiousness of ‘Where will I go?’ and ‘How will I assist myself?’ or ‘Support my household’ is so excessive, that many merely do not depart.”
On high of that, Dokic notes many ladies find yourself returning to their state of affairs of domestic violence simply weeks after leaving, after beginning over proves too tough, or just inconceivable.
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She says that for her, as a survivor, it is at that stage of starting over where women need the most support.
“At that time, you’re not simply scared of the individual that you have been abused by, however you’re additionally scared of what life will appear like. It by no means ends simply there, so assist is significant,” Dokic says.
“Having a protected house, having a protected atmosphere, the place you may speak about it in order for you to – but additionally the place you’re protected to sleep and have entry to easy issues like clear garments, meals and hygiene is so necessary.”
She notes support services that offer these simple things “save lives” as victims are often still reckoning with their own emotional trauma when they do leave.
“You’re afraid to go to sleep at evening, you’re even afraid to turn round, for worry that somebody might be there – and by ‘somebody’, I imply your abuser,” she says.
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With domestic violence being the leading driver of homelessness among Australian women, per Our Watch, Dokic has even floated new ideas for how the country could help victims.
“In no approach am I attempting to be political about this, however I do assume that permitting victims early entry to their superannuation might be extremely useful,” Dokic says.
“I believe having a bit of that assist, in the event you do depart and resolve to depart, might save lives. Because with that cash, ladies then know that they can pay a safety deposit, they can pay their lease for a month or two, till they get again on their toes.
“I think that not everything is so black and white, and in such a drastic circumstance as being a victim of domestic violence, that kind of money could truly change things. Every little bit helps.”
If you want somebody to discuss to about domestic violence, name 1800RESPECT or go to White Ribbon Australia at whiteribbon.org.au. In an emergency, name 000.
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