In 2002, Victorian youngster Angela Barker was attacked by her boyfriend and suffered brain injuries so severe she has been wheelchair bound ever since.
She was 16 at the time and in Year 10.
As well as spending a lot of time in rehab, Angela Barker also became an advocate for victims of domestic violence.
She has since spoken to tens of thousands of students, health workers, police, politicians and prisoners across Australia in a bid to empower others to say no to violence.
In 2011 she was awarded Victoria’s Australia Day young person of the year award due to her work in educating about domestic violence.
Angela Barker is about to visit New York to speak at various domestic violence events in the Big Apple but before that she will bring her powerful message to Macarthur.
Ms Barker will be the guest speaker at a youth forum to be held at the Cube, Campbelltown tomorrow, Wednesday, May 23.
Her audience will mostly be made up of up to 500 local students from St Patrick’s College, Airds, Leumeah, Campbelltown and Thomas Reddall high schools.
Buses will transport the students to and from The Cube, which is adjacent to the Catholic Club.
Liam Dooley from White Ribbon Australia will be MC for the forum, which will be hosted by the Campbelltown Domestic Violence committee.
Police and the Macarthur Court Advocacy Service are also major partners for the forum, which has received funding support from Wests Group Macarthur and support from the Campbelltown Catholic Club.
The Campbelltown Domestic Violence committee is convened by Campbelltown City Council and under the auspices of Macarthur legal centre.
For further enquiries about the forum contact Senior Constable Clapham or Senior Constable Walters from the Campbelltown Domestic Violence Unit at Campbelltown Police Area Command on 4620 1199 or email walt1car@police.nsw.gov.au
