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Forty-Five Blows in Carseldine: A Survivor’s Story

Brisbane mother-of-three Simone O’Brien continues to speak out more than a decade after a violent domestic violence incident in Carseldine left her with life-altering injuries. Ms O’Brien was struck 45 times with a baseball bat by her former partner, Glenn Cable, in an unprovoked attack after she ended their nine-month relationship in 2012.

Ms O’Brien was placed in an induced coma at the scene to survive the swelling on her brain. She later required full facial reconstruction and spent months in hospital relearning basic tasks such as walking and eating. Mr Cable was convicted of attempted murder in 2015 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He becomes eligible for parole after serving 80 per cent of his sentence.

Red Flags Before the Violence

Ms O’Brien met Mr Cable online while raising three children as a single parent. Subtle red flags soon emerged—contacts disappeared from her phone, money went missing, and flowers arrived daily at her workplace in a pattern that felt unsettling rather than affectionate. After she ended the relationship, Mr Cable turned up at her Carseldine home and launched the violent attack.

The outcome was devastating: a shattered skull and jaw, vision loss in one eye, and loss of smell.

From Recovery to Advocacy

Ms O’Brien has since become a strong voice in the domestic violence space. She recently addressed a crowd of more than 600 at a local event, sharing her experience and educating young people about early warning signs in relationships. Her message was clear: early intervention matters.

She also appeared at the EmpowHer gala dinner, joined Victoria’s 16 Days of Activism campaign, and participated in an international session hosted by the Alaska Black Caucus. She spoke to the importance of recovery, respect, and solidarity across communities and cultures.

A Push for Change: Parole and Prevention

With Mr Cable eligible for parole, Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior is calling for stricter control orders on high-risk offenders. Proposed measures include barring parolees from dating apps, monitoring phone usage, and restricting entry to venues.

Ms O’Brien supports these ideas and continues pushing for broader reforms, including Clare’s Law—a proposal that would give individuals the right to know if a prospective partner has a history of domestic violence.

She’s also advocating for education to start as early as Prep, aiming to build awareness of what constitutes a healthy relationship from a young age.

Marching On: The Movement Grows

Community support has been strong at events where Ms O’Brien has spoken. From home owners clapping during DV marches to attendees lining up to thank her at forums, the response shows a growing desire for change. Ms O’Brien remains committed to speaking up, encouraging others to act on early warning signs.

Her ongoing message: “Any little red flag is a big red flag.”

Domestic Violence Helplines

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Support is available for anyone affected by domestic or family violence:

• Womensline: 1800 811 811
• MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
• 1800 RESPECT (24-hour sexual assault and DV counselling): 1800 737 732
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Family Violence Crisis and Support Service: 1800 608 122
• Emergency/Police: 000
  

Published 28-Mar-2025

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