Shepparton’s Lutfiye Kavci has won a prestigious award for her work in advocacy after her attempted murder.
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Bree Harding
If her estranged husband had his way, Lutfiye Kavci would have died three years ago.
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Instead, she rose from the broken pieces he left her in to regain a strength greater than before, fight for justice to see him pay for almost stabbing her to death, and advocate for victims and survivors of family and domestic violence.
Now, the 28-year-old Shepparton woman has been recognised for her work creating awareness in that space, taking out the title of Inspirational Young Person of the Year at the Multicultural Youth Awards in Melbourne on Saturday, October 5.
The awards aim to showcase the outstanding achievements of multicultural youth and the positive contributions they’ve made across Victoria and Australia.
Held at Victorian Parliament House, the awards ceremony saw 13 winners crowned in their categories.
Ms Kavci visited The News to talk about her achievement on the third anniversary of her attempted murder — October 15 — before heading to Shepparton’s Blood Bank to donate.
“Being the anniversary, I just try to do something good,” Ms Kavci said.
She received 19 units of blood and four units of plasma during her recovery from the attack, so now that she is strong enough to donate her own, she feels it’s a fitting way to give back.
She said there were around 200 entries to the awards this year and winners did not find out they’d won until the awards night itself.
Lutfiye Kavci, centre, was presented her Inspirational Young Person of the Year award by Victorian Youth Minister Natalie Suleyman, left, and Victorian Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People Liana Buchanan, right.
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Contributed
A friend nominated her for the award for her “courageous survival story of domestic violence and attempted murder, and channelling her trauma into advocacy”.
“Also for my participation in many events, public speaking, rallying and podcasts,” Ms Kavci said.
“I also advocate for housing support for domestic violence survivors and working towards systemic change to prevent further tragedies and be a voice for those who have lost theirs.”
Ms Kavci said attending the awards alone was a great opportunity to meet new people and it was lovely to see other winners and finalists being awarded for their dedicated community efforts.
She said she was overcome with pride and emotion when she was announced the winner in her category.
“I went through a lot in my journey; the hardship it took as a first-time mum becoming a survivor of a horrific attack,” she said.
“Then to be going above and beyond to advocate and speak publicly about my journey has been difficult but yet so rewarding.
“And then being recognised and awarded, I felt extremely proud of myself.”
Ms Kavci said winning the award showed her she was on the right path.
“It is motivation for me to keep going, no matter how difficult it is,” she said.
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