Jelena Dokic reveals the heartbreaking abuse she suffered at the age of just 17 as former Australian tennis star vows to shine a light on ‘sad reality’ of domestic violence
Jelena Dokic has shone a light on the ‘sad reality’ of domestic abuse after posting heartbreaking photos of the violence she suffered as a young tennis player.
The Australian, 39, has long been open about her struggles with depressing, social media abuse, body shaming and the family violence she suffered throughout her career.
In her book, Unbreakable, Dokic revealed that her father inflicted regular beatings with a belt or a hard-capped boot, and she was once knocked unconscious by him.
On Thursday, Dokic posted images of herself at 17 with bruised legs on Instagram, saying she is ‘sad and angry’ about the countless number of women suffering abuse.
‘Swollen, bruised and bleeding shins from being beaten and kicked all night with sharp shoes right into my shins for losing a match,’ she posted on Instagram.
Jelena Dokic has shared the ‘sad reality’ of domestic abuse on her Instagram page
She showed her bruised legs at just the age of 17 to highlight the issue
‘These images were taken more than two weeks later and I was still heavily bruised. I was 17 years old.
‘To this day I still have sensitive and bumpy shins from this beating.
‘From every wound there is a scar and these are mine. I have survived but not everyone woman and girl has or will.
‘And that’s the sad reality.’
She added that she wanted to speak for sufferers who don’t have the same platform as her.
‘I was speaking at a domestic and family violence event today and I was sad,’ she continued.
‘Sad and angry for the tens of millions of women out there in the world who I know right in this moment are going through a lot worse than I ever did.
‘1 woman a week is killed from domestic violence in Australia alone.
‘1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.
‘The figures are even worse around the world.
‘The more that we don’t talk about it, the more we shy away from the issue, the more we are abandoning women and girls.
‘For those reading this that might be experiencing abuse or domestic violence just know I get you.
Dokic revealed in her book how her father (left) regularly beat her as a tennis player
‘I know how scared and afraid you are.
‘Know that you have incredible strength and courage.
‘Nothing is your fault.
‘For those that can please be there for those that need help and support. Don’t shy away from them and don’t abandon them.
‘Coming from someone that has been there, abandoned and scared to death please don’t turn your back. Women and girls need you and your help.’