Comments on: ‘Stories behind the stats’ http://www.bethanjenkinsblog.org.uk/stories-behind-the-stats Plaid Assembly Member for South Wales West including Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot and Swansea Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:13:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jane Peck http://www.bethanjenkinsblog.org.uk/stories-behind-the-stats/comment-page-1#comment-2242 Jane Peck Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:42:33 +0000 http://www.bethanjenkinsblog.org.uk/?p=816#comment-2242 I suffered domestic violence at the hands of my husband and in front of our three children for 8 years. I left my husband over 18 years ago and the psychological effects remain although I have tried to lay all the ghosts to rest. I stayed in the geographical area as I did not want to remove my children from all their friends and indeed my friends too. What saddens me is some people's reaction of "not wanting to acknowledge or believe" that the gregarious, pleasant man they know could treat the mother of his children in such a cruel and totally unfounded way. It seems many people are more comfortable to believe that domestic violence simply does not exist. Please listen to those women brave enough to speak out and show respect to those women who are often mothers trying to protect not only themselves but their children too, thank you. I suffered domestic violence at the hands of my husband and in front of our three children for 8 years. I left my husband over 18 years ago and the psychological effects remain although I have tried to lay all the ghosts to rest. I stayed in the geographical area as I did not want to remove my children from all their friends and indeed my friends too. What saddens me is some people’s reaction of “not wanting to acknowledge or believe” that the gregarious, pleasant man they know could treat the mother of his children in such a cruel and totally unfounded way. It seems many people are more comfortable to believe that domestic violence simply does not exist.

Please listen to those women brave enough to speak out and show respect to those women who are often mothers trying to protect not only themselves but their children too, thank you.

]]> By: cheeky monkey http://www.bethanjenkinsblog.org.uk/stories-behind-the-stats/comment-page-1#comment-1409 cheeky monkey Sun, 02 Nov 2008 11:52:57 +0000 http://www.bethanjenkinsblog.org.uk/?p=816#comment-1409 I am not from Wales but feel compelled to write a comment. I suffered domestic violence for over 10 years with devastating effects on my psychological well being. I am now recovering not only from the effects of the abuse, but also from the further trauma caused by the ignorance of the family courts. They appear to have no understanding of domestic violence, the effect of it on victims and children, and worst of all, the inextricable link between domestic violence and child abuse. I find it beyond comprehension that the courts, who are supposed to put the needs of the child first, do not hesitate to allow children to have contact with violent, abusive men. Dont they care about the harm they are causing. In my case, the factor that gave me the strength to get out of that relationship was because I began to fear for my child at the hands of his father. Then, the courts tried to force me to allow contact !!! Unbelievable. More must be done to stop domestic violence. Starting with education for anyone working with those involved. And victims/survivors must be involved in education. After all, we are the experts !! Please do more to protect women and children. Thank you I am not from Wales but feel compelled to write a comment. I suffered domestic violence for over 10 years with devastating effects on my psychological well being.
I am now recovering not only from the effects of the abuse, but also from the further trauma caused by the ignorance of the family courts. They appear to have no understanding of domestic violence, the effect of it on victims and children, and worst of all, the inextricable link between domestic violence and child abuse. I find it beyond comprehension that the courts, who are supposed to put the needs of the child first, do not hesitate to allow children to have contact with violent, abusive men. Dont they care about the harm they are causing. In my case, the factor that gave me the strength to get out of that relationship was because I began to fear for my child at the hands of his father. Then, the courts tried to force me to allow contact !!! Unbelievable. More must be done to stop domestic violence. Starting with education for anyone working with those involved. And victims/survivors must be involved in education. After all, we are the experts !!
Please do more to protect women and children. Thank you

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