#159 From Bystanders to Warriors with Jo Cooper

In this powerful episode of the Healing Through Love Podcast, host Sharlene Lynch welcomes legal pioneer, advocate, and founder of The Good Warrior, Jo Cooper.

Jo’s landmark case (Cooper v The Owners – Strata Plan No 58068) forever changed Australian law—and her impact hasn’t stopped since. Now, Jo is on a mission to transform communities by moving them from passive observers to proactive changemakers.

This episode dives into how we can dismantle the bystander effect and instead foster cultures of courage, compassion, and intervention. Jo shares how building the skills and confidence to speak up can save lives and inspire collective healing.

She also explains how storytelling and music have become powerful tools in her advocacy work—helping turn trauma into transformation and fear into empowerment.

🎧 Tune in to learn how YOU can be part of the movement to turn silence into action.
 📢 Share this episode—it might change someone’s life.

✨ CONNECT WITH JO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocoopervoice/

Website: https://thegoodwarrior.com.au

📍 PROMOTION

https://www.pawandorder.au

♥ ♥

Transcript

Voiceover | 00:02
Welcome to another episode of Healing Through Love. Each week, we share ideas, experiences and resources to increase the awareness of domestic and family violence and to empower survivors to grow and thrive. We talk with experts who share their advice. Or with people who have experienced abuse, no matter where they are on their journey. This is all about healing through love. And now, here are your hosts. Sharlene Lynch and Rose Davidson. 

 Sharlene | 00:42
Hello and welcome to the Healing Through Love Podcast. I'm your host, Sharlene Lynch, and together we're shining a light on hope, resilience and transformation in the journey to end domestic violence. Each week, we bring you inspiring interviews with changemakers, survivors, advocates and experts who are making a difference in the lives of those affected by domestic and family violence. Whether you're on a healing journey yourself or supporting someone who is, this is the space for powerful stories, practical tools and heartfelt inspiration. Let's heal through love. I'm excited to introduce to you today our amazing guest. We have with us today Jo Cooper. She is a fearless advocate, speaker and impact leader whose landmark legal victory in Cooper versus the owners of Strata Plan number 58068. Commended her in the place of the top 10 influential court cases of the 21st century. As the founder and CEO of Good Warrior, Jo is dedicated to transforming bystander culture and challenging systematic abuse, bullying and domestic violence. Now combining her passion for advocacy, And with her artistry, Jo uses storytelling and music to inspire individuals, corporations and communities to turn silence into action. Hello and welcome.

 
 Jo | 02:10
Hi, thanks for having me. How are you? 

 Sharlene | 02:12
I'm magnificently magnificent. It's great to have you in this space. Now, some of our listeners might not be aware of... 
 Well, what it... Let's talk about Claire's Law and let's talk about how it got there and the impact that people can make. 

 Jo | 02:27
Okay, so start with Claire's Law. That's my current petition. It Basically, - How, things are in the space of domestic violence. I personally don't feel that victim survivors have a lot of power. And Clare's Law... Isn't a be all and end all? 
 Solution, but it's It would be a tool as a, As part of a broader. Solution And it gives people the right to know if their partner is or potential partner has a history of violence. And for me, I think that's a step in the right direction. I hear a lot about privacy and I don't understand why. We continuously... Have this high concern about perpetrators privacy. When victims are the ones who are suffering. 
 So we've got one month left. We need 20,000 signatures. Just really want to emphasize because. There's a lot of stakeholders that are concerned about Clare's Law. And I understand the worry and, you know. It's not... Bulletproof, so to speak. But if you look at domestic violence today versus 20 years ago, We're still in a crisis. And we have to do something. And as far as I'm concerned, people have the power to make change. We can't sit back and wait for the government to do it for us. 

 Sharlene | 04:05
So how can our listeners today pay it forward and make a difference and sign the petition? 

 Jo | 04:12
So if you go to my LinkedIn, there is a website link to the petition. I can share the petition with you or however you reach your listeners. It's Truly, it takes two minutes. It's your name, first name, last name, email address, New South Wales Resident? Sign. 

 Sharlene | 04:33
I love it. Thank you so much for sharing, Jo. If you're listening today and you are a survivor of family and or domestic violence, you know, you've got an understanding of what it would have been like for you to have a. 
 You know a heads up as to what you were walking into okay so Granted, let's imagine now we're talking about your daughters. Your sons, your children, what if there is - they live in an environment where they can find out this information and then knowing that they can make an informed decision of how to move forward so this is where Claire's Law is going it's you know maybe not for us the ones that have survived and out the other side and spruiking how you know we did we're okay This is for the younger generation who are yet to go through the minefield and having this will really make a difference. 
 So if you've got a heart for change, then please reach out. We'll make sure that the link is in the show notes and the show description so that you can click the button, literally is a click of the button and we're only looking for another 20,000. Okay, let's dial the time clock back a little bit and have a look at Why did you choose this? How did you get here? And what's the story behind that? 

 Jo | 05:46
I feel like I didn't choose it, to be honest. My first relation Sheep. Ended up really badly. It ended up with me in a hospital bed and. I didn't know the word back then, bystander culture. I didn't understand it, but I knew what it looked like. 
 So when I was on the street. After my then partner pushed me out of a vehicle. People were just staring at me. And I remember thinking if that was me and I saw somebody in that situation. I'm naturally very reactive and that's not always, you know, just disclaimer, it's not. Always the best thing to do. Check the environment first. However, what went through my mind at that moment was I would have definitely run up to see if that person was okay with, you know, ask if I could make a phone call or something, right? There was nothing. Just staring at me. And so that was my introduction to bystander culture. And since that time, It was never a full-time job, but I've always advocated for and tried to educate around violence, bullying, what it looks like. 
 You know, for me, there's a huge piece missing between the education of disrespect that leads to bullying... Bullying that sometimes leads to violence and violence that sometimes leads to tragedy. And the way we work As in the system, I shouldn't say we, because I... Try to think that I don't work in this space. We live in this crisis model. And it's not getting us anyway. 
 I mean, how many times do you hear about domestic violence? Every week, every month. 
 You know, and the headlines are always the same. And what you'll find is somebody always knew. 
 Somebody always knew something was going wrong. Unfortunately, I don't believe that the police are educated enough in their response to violence or bullying or disrespect because, you know, you'll hear them say, okay, thanks, here's your number. Come back to us when something else happens. How many times can you go to the police and that's the response? 
 So there needs to be an education around pattern of behaviour and That's where it started. And God, when is 10 years ago now. 
 So in 2015, I moved into what I now call home, believe it or not. And I was faced with asking a question and. This simple question I attracted extreme forms of bullying. Abuse both physical... And verbal communication. Violence. And nothing has ever come from it. No charges, no investigation. The response is the same. If not worse, because I feel like we have a lot of history in this space, that the response should have been better. And that led me to a five and a half year legal case. 
 Plus another year lobbying government to legislate my court outcome. So I know this sounds really complicated, but I don't want to go into that detail. As much. The summary of it was, I asked a question about a bylaw. I was told not to mess with the bylaw. I messed with the bylaw, as in I put in a motion to change the bylaw. And that was all it took to have 40 or 50 people come after me relentlessly And again, people knew what was going on. People saw me. At meetings, having things, you know, flicked at me, derogatory name calling. I was called a stupid little brown girl at some point, low class in another point and lots of other words. And nobody did a thing. 
 So that, led me back to this bystander culture. And I thought, There's some good people. Who'd rather Remain silent. Then actually step up and say, this is not okay. And that's where The Good Warrior was born. And. . It's sort of become a full-time thing. And, yeah, that's how it's come about. I really have a detest. For bullies and people who harm others. For no good reason. But I have a bit of an issue with Those who claim to have values and standards. In certain circumstances. 
 You know, Individuals have a lot of power. And I feel like some of us have lost that connection belief that we may be one voice, but we can make a lot of difference with that voice. 
 So. That's where we are today. 

 Sharlene | 10:53
Okay. So what's next for you? 

 Jo | 10:57
Well, I've written a book. I've just finished that this week actually about the whole story, which is why I didn't really want to bore you with the details. But I hope to release that at the end of the year. I continue with my keynotes and my workshops to educate people. 
 You know, to pick up the signs of what disrespect looks like. I'm not talking about one incident. I'm talking about a repeated pattern that does. It more than likely does lead to bullying. And my biggest fear is that bullying turns into violent and beyond. And so I will continue with that. I will continue to call for legislative change and change of policy. And I think a lot of people don't know that you can email politicians. You can challenge government. I feel like it's a duty that we have. But a lot of people, I don't know if it's a fear. Lack of knowledge. I think it's a bit of both. 

 Sharlene | 11:56
But don't feel apathy as well. Like they just don't care. I can't be. 

 Jo | 12:00
Apathy. Yeah. Ultimately, apathy is a real problem. I just don't want to go out there and criticise everyone for being silent because I don't believe that everybody has the tools. An understanding of how to step in when they do see an injustice play out. 
 So there is I want to be very mindful of that. Apathy, absolutely not a question in my mind. I've seen it. And the excuses are quite disappointing. 
 You know, I don't want to get involved because I don't really want to be marked. I don't want to get involved because of my career. Right. I might, you know, I might have a relationship with this person. Sure, I know what they're doing wrong. However, you know, they could benefit me in the future. All those excuses? For me are, - Unacceptable. If you're okay with watching somebody eat, on the receiving end of abuse that can actually ruin their lives. Because of a financial gain or a relationship. I think you really need to look in the mirror. To be honest with you. Because If you... It's just as simple as saying it. 
 You know, pulling that person aside and saying, did you really think what you just did or what you said? Did you think that was really appropriate? And calling them out then and there, It's a powerful thing. Because if you don't call them out, That person's thinking, okay, green light. I can do what I like. Nobody's going to question me. Nobody is going to hold me accountable. And it just grows from there. 
 So, I mean, have you been on the receiving end of bullying? 

 Sharlene | 13:48
Not in the new iteration of me. I vibrated a frequency that would frustrate anyone who was intent on bullying me. They just would water off a duck's back. It just doesn't affect me. But the old version of me, the version of me that was a victim and a survivor of domestic and family violence, then yeah, sure, I was in the middle of it. But when I changed me, I'm bulletproof now, regardless of what's happening. 
 So yes, I think 100% that when we see things and I've got no filter system, I'm continuously saying things that Maybe should not be said, but I say them anyway. And I am a right fighter and I do stand up for the oppressed. Hey, that's why we're running Healing Through Love. Yes and I see what part I played in the story and how I was attached to drama. And I see the part that I played in that. 
 So now at the other side, I view things very differently. However, I still really want to make a difference for those who don't have a voice for themselves, and who haven't seen that they can make change happen. 
 So I'm 100% I'm behind everything that you do in and around Claire's Law. I believe that we've done all that we've signed, we've passed it around, we've put it on our email list, like we've done all the things that we can do from where we are as a podcast and a social enterprise in making an impact for family and domestic violence. And yeah, you're right. We do have a culture in Australia that really is, it's not my business. And so they don't stick their nose in. And if they did see that they could, make a difference, then that would be important. I believe it's important to know who you're literally jumping into bed with. It would be handy to know, you know, if there is an issue there. Yes, and I've seen it down the other way around as well. 
 So people in my proximity have been incorrectly accused. So they're not firsthand. They're people that I know of people. And so I suppose from their perspective, I could see how that would be uncomfortable, especially for those that have asked. Actually gone to jail for a crime that they didn't commit because of the way the system set up so I can see why it's a very fine line. Yes, and we have to do something. 
 So this is something we can do. 

 Jo | 16:17
It's, and you know, that has come up multiple times and I understand that. And it's, There has to be frameworks. There has to be governance. There has to be, you know, you can't just go and accuse somebody and expect them to be on a register. I actually had somebody ask me. 
 You know, what about people who haven't been Convicted. And I said, sure, what's your point? And they said, well... I would like to see them on the register. And I said, absolutely not. You... It. We live in a country where there are laws, sure. The justice system isn't You know, it doesn't get it always right. Right. But if we start thinking down that path, that's a very dangerous thing. Dangerous road to take. And like I said earlier, this isn't a standalone solution. However, we have to start coming up with different root cause solutions rather than remaining in this crisis. And there was a comment you said earlier about attracting drama. And I just want to really clarify something there because drama, A lot of people who are on the receiving end of bullying or abuse don't want to say anything because they don't want to feel their life is just dramatic. That is a different... Hype. Of scenario altogether. I am not talking about that. I am talking about real life changing abuse that is relentless and impacts people's lives on a daily basis. That is what I'm talking about. 
 So if you've been bullied or abused, Please don't think you just attract drama for no reason because there are. Unkind people out there. That for some reason get a lot of joy out of seeing people suffer. That's what I'm talking about. I love that you reinvented yourself, but I'm not talking about those people. I really, my focus is on you. Trying to give people back their power and their confidence when somebody has gone out of their way to destroy them. That's my focus I love. 

 Sharlene | 18:33
It I love it we could talk all day I'm excited about the difference that you make and the impact that you've already made and that the book will make as well and that our audience that are listening today can go forth and sign the petition so what's the cut-off date for that and I know that this might be airing a little bit different timeline but what's the cut-off time Okay. 

 Jo | 18:54
I think it's the 29th of this month of April, so less than a month to go. 

 Sharlene | 19:00
So yes, if you're listening to this before the 29th of April, follow the links and absolutely press just literally a press of a button and that's going to change the laws so that people will have the opportunity to know the people that in their proximity, are they perpetrators? 

 Jo | 19:18
Yeah. And it doesn't, you know, it at least gives you the opportunity to have the conversation or not. It's just having that knowledge. Not everybody's going to get the answers. 
 You know, there might not be somebody who's been convicted, but. They're in the process. I understand that. I just don't think if. 
 You know, the mentality of, well, if, 10 people can't find out, then we shouldn't save one person. I think that's the wrong way to look at it. And if you're interested, you Yeah, that's what I'm going to say about that. 

 Sharlene | 19:57
It's a powerful conversation and it is a conversation that needs to be had. These are the conversations we need to have and that's why Healing Through Love is here. 

 Jo | 20:06
And. 

 Sharlene | 20:08
You are a survivor of family and or domestic violence. Reach out to Healing Through Love. We have these amazing pamper days. Day spa on steroids where survivors come and for free they receive their hair, their makeup done, they might have a massage, a foot massage, chakras aligned, the list is huge. We have 25 practitioners at each of our events and it is free for survivors. 
 So we'd love to have you come along, reach out to Healing Through Love and we'll give you the dates of events that are near you As of 2023 Healing Through Love went global and we're very excited to have the conversation that if you are a practitioner and you're here listening to this today reach out to Healing Through Love, we'd love to have a conversation with you about joining one of our events near you or actually being an organizer. So have a chat to us if you've got a heart for change. Now back to you Cho, I'd love you to finish off with us today and just share with us your final words of wisdom. 

 Jo | 21:06
If I was to, yeah. I... Not everybody's going to lead change. I absolutely understand that. For various reasons. I do feel that we all have a role to play though. 
 So if you don't have the stomach for it, the personality, the time, whatever the reason may be that you can't lead change, you do have a role in supporting people. That all. 
 So, you know, there are people that come up with all these excuses. I'm one person. I can't do it. All those reasons. Sure, not a problem, but it doesn't take much to support those who are leading the change because the reality is you will probably benefit from it and so will the next generation. And that's the message I hope people get. 

 Sharlene | 21:59
That's fantastic. Thank you so much, Jo. It's been a privilege and a pleasure to share this cuppa with you and have beautiful conversations. And if you're listening to this and it's before the 29th of April 2025, click the link. A simple click of the link will actually allow you to just drop in your suburb and your name and then that is a vote for change. Thank you for joining us today. It's a goodbye from us. 

 Jo | 22:26
See ya. 

 Voiceover | 22:30
Thank you for joining us for this episode of Healing Through Love. You can get further resources See the show notes or simply reach out to us via our website at htlaustralia.org. Thanks so much for joining us and we look forward to your company next time on the Healing Through Love podcast.