Sydney Real Estate Agent, Michael Marquette – the Terrible Curse of Violence (Expose part 8)

Violence is very tough to talk about and it brings up so many memories of my childhood. It’s amazing how many people out there cover up what is actually going on at home – after all most of it is hidden behind a closed door. I guess it’s a combination of fear, feeling alone and powerless and completely intimidated by the person involved.

My father was an incredibly violent man and he ruled with an iron fist. Something simple like not hearing what he said could result in a beating. Coming second or third in an exam could also set him off and the consequences were horrible. I remember being at a shopping centre at age 6 and although I cannot remember the entire details of the conversation with him, it resulted in him kicking me in the shin with his steel capped boots.

I remember seeing blood around the house constantly and going to school was always a nerve wrecking experience as I wondered how my Mum would be when I arrived back home. I wiped up blood on countless occasions after my father beat my mother and in many ways being in the house was like walking on egg shells.

My grandfather died in 1984 and spent much of 1983 in hospital. His heart and lungs had given way after years of smoking and I remember visiting him one evening in hospital. My father had beaten my mother the night before and I attempted to stop him – unfortunately there wasn’t much I could do at age seven to prevent his horrific actions. I received a black eye in the process and he told his father (my grandfather) that I got in the way of him sorting my mother out.

This conversation has never left me and I have always been amazed that my father’s mother or father did not attempt to step in and stop what was completely unacceptable in every way. They chose to ignore his actions and in doing so made it OK. If my Expose is able to assist anyone to make the decision to escape violence or bring someone who is violent to justice it has been worthwhile. Please never make violence ok – it is never ok.

If you, or someone you know is experiencing violent behaviour, help is close by. The list below is not exhaustive, and is Australian specific. If you live outside of Australia, simply use google for the most suitable organisition for you.

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Michael Marquette on +61 433 170 170

Tagged as: domestic violence, lfeline, Michael Marquette, violence