community – Arinola Araba

I have received so many positive responses from the FREE book which was accompanied by a survey. I created a survey to accompany the book, to challenge presumptions and ideas about domestic violence and whether people should remain in an abusive situation when they were in grave danger. Survey respondents have been received from Nigeria and America.

It’s exciting to see the many initiatives that Barking and Dagenham Giving are supporting. Thanks to this Rapid Response Fund, I have connected with people from Refuge, Voice Out Woman and Moms on A Mission, alongside medical professionals.

So many people in abusive marriages are told to remain because things will get better. “That’s what life allotted to you. You chose them, you just have to bear it;” they are told. But in this community, it’s not acceptable!

As I have heard and experienced some of the confusion victims of abuse face, I can empathise with their situation and help them. I now run a weekly book writing club to encourage people to write about their experiences.

No one should have to take abuse or endure it and I hope my work empowers more people to say NO to domestic violence and take action against it.

That’s why I talk about it. It’s easier to empathise when you’ve been through something and not just read about it.