One in Four Women

Just yesterday I heard about a horrific incident of domestic abuse in a friend's family. It brought home to me how close domestic violence is to all of us, and reminded me of the blight it is to our society. Did you know that domestic violence accounts for more deaths of adult women than any other cause of death in the UK? Those deaths are not just avoidable, they are a shame for all of us, because really, nobody should allow this to happen.

Here are some more bare facts: one in three teenage girls expects to be abused at some point in their relationship. Incidentally, that's the same percentage of boys who think that they ma abuse a partner at some point in their lives. What's much much worse is that 1 in 4 women will actually be abused at some point in their lives. By their partner. In their home. Maybe even with kids around who witness this, think it's normal or acceptable behaviour and thus continue the vicious circle. Think about it: Picture four of your friends and imagine that one of them will have been abused. Or think about your own children. One in four will be abused as an adult, and they are growing up to expect to be abused by or to abuse their partner. Your little girl has a 25% risk to be the victim of domestic violence. Think about it. Now.

Domestic violence isn't talked about, it's ignored, and the victims often suffer alone because of the shame they think it brings upon them. Of course, the shame is on the abuser, yet those at the receiving end live in fear and often attempt to protect themselves, their kids and even their abuser.

There is no excuse for domestic violence. It's wrong and needs to end. And those who suffer from it need to be given the support they need to pick up the pieces and start a new, abuse free life, a life where they can live safely and without fear.

The national charity Women’s Aid has released their first charity single to celebrate 35 years of striving to end violence against women and children on 25^th November. The single is called “Take My Hand”, and it will help Women's Aid raise vital funds to support this work for abused women and children. It is sung by 13 year old classical singer Olivia Aaron, and Natasha Benjamin, who is herself a survivor of domestic violence.

The launch of Take My Hand marks the beginning of Women’s Aid’s activities to mark the ’16 days of Action’, where the charity will ask the public to help them take action against violence against women and children. For more information on the ‘16 Days of Action’, go to www.womensaid.org.uk. To buy Take My Hand for 79p, please go to www.womensaid.org.uk/takemyhand.