Refuge and Avon's "We Need To Talk" campaign

[DontCallMeFrothyDragon]

OK, Avon and Refuge are currently running a campaign called 1in4 women, which starts on the 25th November. During the campaign, Refuge are encouraging women to talk to someone different, every day for 16 days about domestic violence.The campaign doesn't ask much, just the talking, and encouraging others to do the same.

http://refuge.org.uk/2011/11/15/we-need-to-talk-start-a-conversation-to-end-domestic-violence/#.TsKjSrtkPNU.twitter There's more information here

there's more information here

Date in the diary.

Thank you, MsAnnTeak. :) Saw this on twitter earlier, and thought it's a great idea.

I think it's a fabulous idea. Speaking from personal experience one of my DDs got herself into a relationship in her late teens, moved in with him far too quickly and over a couple of months we'd noted a change in her personality. Bruises had started to appear and when challenged she made excuses.

The situation came to a head after 6 months and we learned the full extent of what had been going on the afternoon she called for us to pick her up with her belongings. All my self restraint needed not to annihilate him.

During following discussions with her, trying to establish how and when it started, what had happened and why she chose not to get out sooner and come to us. Her explanation, which left me feeling like I'd been hit by a truck was, during family chats over the years we'd joked that no bf would ever dare lift his hands to her (she's a formidable force and was alays viewed as 'the battler'). She felt she couldn't say anything as she would be seen as a 'disappointment' to us. She'd put up with the violence more than twice, and as time passed by the harder it became.

MsAnnTeak, I'm so sorry to hear that. :( I've yet to tell my mother about what I went through. I've never found the courage to do so

Having no idea of your relationship with your mother it's difficult to offer any advice. Reading between the lines ('yet to tell'), is it something you feel you must do and what do you fear will be the consequences ('courage)
All I can say in our situation it's opened the door wider to discussing violence within relationships and thinking about it, any adult life adversities they may encounter.

It's a complicated one. I'm glad your daughter was able to tell you what was going on, in the end.

Say no more, mine is too. Hence a decision to make the DDs and mine as easy as possible.