Physical Abuse

My partner physically abused me for 6 years before I was brave enough to properly speak up about it and seek help.  I’d studied social science and psychology, I knew a lot about interpersonal relationships, but I was blind to the truth of my own.  I just couldn’t accept that the person that I loved would do anything to harm me. This is the beast that is domestic violence.

When the violence was really bad and I had bruises to show for it, I approached health authorities and tried to call out for help.  But it was all in vain. Most of the time he would come with me so I couldn’t be open about what happened and the health workers never really pushed to get to the bottom of what was going on. It was a tricky situation and for one reason or another, I just couldn’t see a way out from it.

To help with the pain, I’d paint lantern lamps and fill my hallways with their colourful light. But that didn’t last long. He would have rages and destroy them to spite me.  Eventually with the help of my family, I managed to crawl out of my pit and approach SAHSSI.  They helped me find safe and permanent accommodation away from him and encouraged me to become a Lifeline advisor to help other women like me.  Every room in my home is filled with hundreds of lanterns: big, small and in between.  Now they are safe, and so am I.

What Do The Figures Say?

• Intimate partner violence is a leading contributor to illness, disability and premature death for women aged 18-44.²
• Children of mothers experiencing domestic violence are three times more likely to experience mental health and behavioural problems than other children.³