LOST

Bonjour

My blogs are a bit like buses. You wait for ages for one to come along and then they all seem to come at once!

This is a special blog to coincide with International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25th November and 16 days of activism.

As someone who has suffered domestic violence and also suffers from chronic illness I want to help raise awareness. I prefer the term domestic abuse because it's not just physical. The psychological and emotional abuse is just as bad and some, like myself, may say it's even worse.

I was pleased to learn that Home Secretary Theresa May is expected to announce new powers which will put psychological abuse on a par with physical violence. 

 This is a promising step forward in the recognition of the damage that this sort of domestic abuse can cause.

Domestic violence and abuse can affect men as well as women but the facts and figures show that women are more at risk. 

If the person is also disabled the abuse may be even worse. 

Disabled women are twice more likely to experience domestic violence than non-disabled women (BCS 1995)

Disabled women are also likely to experience abuse over a longer period of time and to suffer more severe injuries as a result of the violence (BCS 1995)

As a disabled woman I feel that I have experienced abuse longer than if I was well and healthy. It's harder to escape and start over again.

  I have written and dedicated a poem to all those who suffer and have suffered like myself. This poem could apply to someone who has a chronic illness like M.E. or who is a victim of domestic abuse or  even both

  

Lost 

I’ve lost my way

And what was me

You’ve taken my

Identity

You’ve drained all of

My energy

You’ve consumed my

Vitality

You've hurt and caused

Me injury

You’ve denied me

My liberty

You’ve left me in

This poverty

Isolated

And so lonely

Away from friends

And family

You’ve cheated and

Then lied to me

You’ve taken all

Control of me

You’ve poisoned me

Toxically

You’ve sucked the life

All out of me

There’s left only

A shell of me

 

If you are a victim of domestic abuse get help today, talk to someone, learn more and above all don't suffer in silence.

I know it's far from easy. But if I can do it so can you!     

I have lost a lot BUT I'm starting to fight back and to find myself again. My next blog will be about what I've found..... 

A bientot

From the French Femme xxx