Domestic violence survivor, 12, and refugee win Human Rights Award for work helping others.

By Natalie Whiting.

Tasmanian boy Kobe Bennett is unflinching in describing his experiences of domestic violence.

“When I was younger, my dad used to beat me up and throw me at walls and he tried to burn the house down once,” he said.

His father has since been convicted of domestic violence-related offences, and life was now a lot better, the 12-year-old said.

“It’s much more fun,” he said.

The young survivor has been awarded the youth category at this year’s Human Rights Awards for using his experiences to help stand up for the rights of children and illustrate the impacts of domestic violence.

He has been working with his mother producing a family violence audiobook, using a collection of personal stories.

“It’s mine, my mum’s and a whole bunch of other people’s. It’s just been piecing together what people have to say about family violence.”

He hopes the project will help other children and wants people to be able to feel how he felt.

Refugee giving back in new and former home

Former refugee Besta Poni Peter was the joint winner of the individual award, one of nine handed out at Government House.

Ms Poni Peter, who fled war in Sudan and settled in Tasmania, was recognised for her work supporting and inspiring other refugees.

“My heart is always supporting people who need support, so just hearing their voices and issues that are facing them,” Ms Poni Peter said.

She has also been working with Bright Side Foundation, raising money for schools in South Sudan.

“My hopes are to not only give back to South Sudan, but also Australia. To give back here and also back home, so my heart is in two.

“But first of all to give here, and that’s why I’ve been here for 13 years and I really wanted to give so much back to Australia, because thank you is not enough.”

Besta Poni Peter said she tried to empower other refugees in Australia.

“They’re seeing me, a mother of five kids, working, studying and doing volunteer work — it makes a big difference because they can see from me, ‘if she can do it, I can also do it’,” she said.

Social change arts company Big hART picked up the award for organisation of the year.

Big hART formed in Burnie in the state’s north-west 24 years ago and has grown into a multi-award-winning organisation producing cross-platform performances and projects.

The company aims to empower disadvantaged and marginalised groups, breaking down barriers and developing skills.

It has worked across 50 communities in performance, film, digital and theatre productions involving 300 artists and 8,000 participants.

The latest Tasmanian venture, Project O, is working with 20 young Wynyard women each year for the next five years to raise awareness of domestic violence impacts in the north west.

Tasmania’s anti-discrimination commissioner, Robin Banks, said the award recipients were inspiring.

“I think it really says to us, particularly when you see how many young people have received awards this year, that our future is in pretty good hands,” she said.

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