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On International Women’s Day 2020 Action Speaks Louder Than Words

Talking to supportive organisations and people who understand what women go through in their homes, suffering domestic violence, is imperative to helping women and empowering them of those women to make what is often very difficult decisions.

It also helps to prevent prolongued physical and mental misery, self-blame, substance abuse, diminised self-esteem; and yes, ultimately suicides.

The damage to children growing up in circumstances of domestic violence is under estimated, It lives with the child well into their adult hears and can have serious mental heath repurcussions, destroying relationships and their ability to maintain a healthy relationship both in their teens and into adulthood.

Importantly, learned behaviours when we are children determines the type of adults we will become. Domestic violence therefore, can severely impair, the development of chidren and ultimately may lead to further domestic abuse in their own adult relationships.

But talking alone will noty help those women in the UK suffering from mental and physical cruelty at the hands of their partners.

Action is badly reuired to address what is unfortunately entrenched in UK society.

The charity Women’s Aid is the only organisation supporting women suffering domestic violence in the UK, with little support from the Government and the judiciary, or indeed the mainstream media which serves more to encourage misogyny than condemn and highlight the appalling statistics of domestic abuse in this country.

Their Chat service is one of the few dedicated services to provide victims with the opportunity to talk to specialist advisers who understand the full horrors of having to endure violence from their partner’s in  their lives.

You can support the victims of domestic physical and mental violence by helping to ensure that Women’s Aid are able to maintain a desperately needed service, which can make the difference for women caught in a spiral of violence.

“We want to be able to respond to every woman in need who reaches out to us.” Says the Women’s Aid website. It explains how the use of the service has been welcomed by victims of abuse:

“In the first three months of opening our Live Chat almost 30,000 people came to it. We need your support to keep this vital service running and help women who are experiencing domestic abuse.”
 
Laura Winter is a survivor of domestic abuse and has shared her experience with Women’s Aid, in support of their campaign for funding to keep the Women’s Aid Chat service running.

The sports presenter suffered months of abusive and controlling behaviour, Laura was violently attacked by her abusive partner on International Women’s Day. This date became pivotal. It was the day Laura left him and the abuse behind.

She begins her story:

“This International Women’s Day there is a feeling of dread because of the emotions that will undoubtedly resurface, I just don’t know how my body and brain will react. This year, I just want to get through this International Women’s Day, but I’d like to think that by 2021 I will be celebrating another woman’s bravery again.”

The article exolains that looking back now, Laura can see the early warning signs – the insults and the control – but at the beginning of the relationship, she did not realise this was abusive behaviour and made excuses for it.

You can fead her full story and donate in order to help women escape from the horrors of domestic physical and mental abuse on the Women’s Aid website and help women like Laura can make their first steps to freedom.

You  too, can #SupportSurvivors like Laura on International Women’s Day

Source: Women's Aid / unionsafety

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