Australian Bravery Awards: Perth woman Ebony Jones saves mum from domestic violence attack

Few people would get a call from a little girl saying they were watching their mother being attacked by a man and rush straight into the violence. But that’s exactly what Perth woman Ebony Jones did on January 5 last year when she rushed to the scene of a domestic violence attack at her friend’s home. “I was at my mum’s house having dinner, and I received a really distressing phone call from my friend’s daughter — she was crying and was hysterically upset, asking me to come and help because her mum was being bashed by her dad,” she told The West. “I just said you just need to stay in the bedroom, keep your doors closed and I’ll be there as soon as I can.” After driving from Forrestfield to the Armadale home, Ms Jones called the police before being confronted with a “horrible” scene. “I opened up the door, I just saw my girlfriend laying on the floor holding her newborn baby, and the husband just laying into her, just bashing her,” she said. “I grabbed the baby, I pushed him off her, and I tried to lock him out. “He then chucked her out completely and threw her out the door ... I just remember the slam from her head hitting the concrete. “I was begging him to stop.” Ms Jones then managed to lock herself, the children, and her friend in the garage away from the attacker as she waited for police to arrive. “I was covered in blood, the baby was covered in blood ... there wasn’t really much of a thought process. I just knew I had to get in there, and I had to stop it, if I could. I just had to help those girls,” she said. Ms Jones, 30, was recognised on Tuesday by Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who gave out 41 Bravery Decorations to 46 people across the country. Three West Australians were recognised. “I don’t consider myself a hero for the simple fact that I just did something that I felt like I needed to do. I was helping keep children and my best friend safe. I just kind of did what I felt like was appropriate,” Ms Jones said. Both the woman and the older child were taken to hospital while Ms Jones cared for the newborn. She said the man was arrested before being sentenced to prison. “I myself have been through domestic violence and I understand how hard it is and how trapped you feel in a relationship,” she said. “It’s a horrible, horrible situation to be in and if it wasn’t for my friends and my family to help me get out of it, I think I’d still be in it. “That’s the same for a lot of women and men where you get stuck, but with lots of support, love and guidance from the people around you, you can get through it and get out.” WA Police Officer Sergeant Christopher Jacob was also recognised for his bravery after risking his own life in order to recover the body of a missing boy from a river in October 2021. After an empty kayak was located in a river near Walpole, Sgt Jacob entered the waters before climbing into small crevices to retrieve the boy. Sgt Jacob’s breathing apparatus had safety features removed to accommodate his dive into the dark, confined space before the boy was recovered. The third West Australian to be recognised was Craig Reynolds, who helped save a woman from taking her own life just after midnight in 2021. Around 12.30am on June 7 2021, police received reports a woman was walking on the narrow ledge of a bridge on the Kwinana Freeway in Wellard. Mr Reynolds, who was working as WA Police sergeant, grabbed the woman by her wrist along with another officer after the woman slipped and began hanging off the bars. She had been threatening to jump on several occasions for around one hour prior. After holding the woman in place for around four minutes, she was dragged back to safety before being transported to hospital. Governor-General Sam Mostyn said despite everyone’s different backgrounds, Australians recognised were united by a set of admirable values. “Recipients come from different parts of our country and diverse backgrounds,” she said. “They are connected by their selfless, courageous, resilient and determined response in extraordinary circumstances. “Each is inspiring. I am delighted that these exceptional people will forever know they have earned the gratitude of every Australian. Six bravery medals were announced, 33 commendations for brave conduct and two groups received a bravery citation on Tuesday after the Independent Australian Bravery Decorations Council recommended deserving individuals to the Governor-General. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14