Trigger warning: This article contains descriptions and images of domestic violence.
Bravely staring down her attacker, Jordan Collins stood in court with a brand new face. A face that was once shattered into more than half-a-dozen breaks in a brutal beating by her then-partner – before being pieced back together. For more Real Life related news and videos check out Real Life >>WATCH IN THE VIDEO ABOVE: Hundreds arrests as police raid Sydney’s ‘most dangerous’ domestic violence offenders. Following the violence, the now-25-year-old Sydney woman permanently lives with four bone screws and three titanium plates in her head. “All of this over a stupid Instagram post,” she tells 7Life. Jordan and her ex partner Sailosi Dausaiga Tubakibau had been in a relationship for three years, with Jordan saying that Tubakibau was never violent towards her. Woman accused of stabbing man in head, neck Murder charge laid over suspected DV death of beloved mother However, in the early hours of January 27, 2022, Jordan remembers the moment she now calls “seven minutes of hell”. She had spent the previous afternoon by the local pool, celebrating the sunny day by uploading a photo on Instagram. Moments later she received a text message from Tubakibau, expressing his insecurities about the post. For two hours, the pair exchanged messages, before Tubakibau ended the text conversation by apologising for “overreacting” and saying he would try to refrain from being jealous. The pair met up later that evening and, just after midnight, arrived back at Jordan’s apartment. That’s when the argument over her Instagram post reignited. Jordan was taken to hospital after police found her bleeding profusely from her head. Credit: Supplied Tubakibau grabbed Jordan’s phone and threw it out the window, causing the glass to shatter and the phone to fall to the ground from the top-floor apartment. Quickly, the quarrel became physical. Multiple neighbours from the unit complex heard the disturbance and phoned police. Just after 1am, officers arrived – and when they entered the apartment they observed blood on the walls and the hallway carpet. Jordan was found on the floor of the bedroom with extensive, severe injuries to her face. Among Jordan’s multiple facial injuries was a broken eye socket. Credit: Supplied She had suffered a broken eye socket, shattered cheekbone and broken jaw, as well as nerve damage and shifted teeth. “I looked like (the) elephant man. I can’t blow my nose, my teeth are all messed up, when I sneeze blood comes out,” Jordan recalled. Since the incident, the 25-year-old has undergone multiple surgeries in a bid to correct the injuries. But her face will never be the same. Recovery Jordan doesn’t want people to think of her as having been the “elephant man”. She wants her story of survival to encourage women who may be trapped in violent relationships to leave. And in July 2023, she appeared in court to read her powerful victim impact statement. Jordan has undergone laser eye surgery to correct two holes in her retinas after the incident. Credit: Supplied “It was a huge weight off my chest,” she says, adding she was filled with nerves seeing the offender, via video link, for the first time since the incident. “It knocked me about a bit. “I kept playing it over and over in my head … It had been such a long time. “But everything the judge said … it just made me feel heard. “Like, that he understood what had happened to me.” ‘Instantly safer’ Tubakibau had been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, common assault and domestic violence offences. On July 28, he was sentenced to seven years and six months, with a non-parole period of five years. “When the sentencing was read, I didn’t react,” Jordan reveals. “I just stared blankly.” As her support crew burst into tears around her, Jordan stood frozen in shock. Jordan in August 2023, after multiple surgeries to repair her shattered face. Credit: Supplied “It was really weird. I instantly felt safer,” she says. “It’s no longer looming over my head.” Jordan says the sentence was “longer than she expected”. And she hopes the outcome brings justice – and hope – to other victims of domestic violence. “This makes me hopeful that the legal system is taking domestic violence very seriously,” she adds. “I believe perpetrators need to see the reality of what consequences come from their actions. “Like all of this over an Instagram post – really?” If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings. To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. As a child she was nicknamed ‘dead rat’. As a woman she was assaulted. This is how Bobbi fought back NSW dad’s incredible act after machine tore off his leg in an instant