I turn my pain into campaign for all women survivors.
if I do not campaign then I fall into my pain.
A pain that still exists now I am 71 years and takes on a further intensity as I am not the financial woman of substance I should have been and could have been had I not fallen in the claws of perpetrators
Like all women subjected to domestic violence I am lucky to survive into my old age. But it is painful being in those vulnerable years without the strength of financial assets. So when I have become aware of the Labour Welfare Reforms and cuts I needed to shine a spotlight on Women Survivors. Those of you that have read through this blog you will have seen the problems of the DWP failing me with drops in support and little support to help on my healing journey, detox from the ugliness of violence upon me and abusive control. I have felt the dangers of those drops in support and challenged the malpolicies of previous governments and their attitudes towards those on benefits as if all work shy, lazy and scamming the system. There is a real danger in failing women survivors by any such attitudes that lead to formulation of policies that hurt rather than support those in need of help. The PTSD is a time of great risk to her life if she is is failed in support as you will read in my blogpost.
There is also to UN directives a failure of state duty of care to women that have been subjected to violence in war and peace if she does not get the support needed to heal and rebuild her life. We are physically, mentally and financially abused by our perpetrators and it of paramount importance we get the financially support and understanding on our journey to heal and rebuild our lives.
So on International Women's day I emailed Liz Kendall, The Secretary of State for Work & Pensions; Debbie Abrahams, Work & Pensions Committee Chair; Jess Philips Parliamentary Under Secretary of State safeguarding women; John McDonnell my MP who has supported my campaign having seen the affects on me of abusive perpetrators. Here is my email for you to see the contents and links to posts on this blog. (scroll down) It is parliamentary protocol for constituents to contact their MP but has John taught me to get my voice heard in APPGs so, I have over the years interacted and spent time with other MPs & House of Lords members in meetings. I have had time in the APPG Poverty and met with Baroness Lister.. So after the late sitting of the House of Lords on the Welfare Reform I forwarded my email to show how I am reaching out to put the spotlight on the need for any reforms to consider the dangers of women survivors. She has promptly responded with her support and her long term concern for those that have been subjected to violence and abuse.
My Campaign is getting Women's Voices Heard for all women aside me behind me and those in front of me that have lasting pain from their experience. Please I have to put in this post a message to all women;-
A life partner must enhance your life not destroy it... If a partner shows any sign of violence. abuse and controlling ..cut the ties immediately. He will have wooed you with a loving side and that captures you it will feel painful to let go but there will be much more pain to endure if you stay together in a toxic relationship. We need to look at education of our children on relationships so we cultivate positive caring empathy and understanding of one another not hurt one another. We need to tackle outside influences of drunkeness, drugs and dark web influence on behaviour. We need more Domestic Intervention Programmes DVIP So please learn and share my blog to help others.
FULL LETTER:
Women's Day we must have a focus on helping women survivors of domestic violence on her healing journey detoxing from the ugliness of violence upon her and life rebuilding.
Her perpetrator will financially cripple her, destroy her career, business and destroy her confidence to go out in the world. Do not underestimate the intensity of the Post Traumatic Stress Depression from what will be years of torment, control and violent torture upon her.
Liz I know you want to get folk back into work but you need to consider survivors... it may be some time before she is able to re-enter the job market. We know that work environments can have bullies within them ..she has been living with a bully ..Getting out from the claws of his control does not mean life suddenly becomes wonderful.. there is a journey to go on to restore & reconnect with herself.
The last thing she needs is battered around with government policies failing her.. rather than supporting her. IT IS DANGEROUS NOT TO SUPPORT ... she may return to her perpetrator as CPS often failing to prosecute and her next beating be her murder or she feels worthless falls into depression and commits suicide!!!!
We and yes I am a Domestic Violence survivor want to regain the dignity of earning and rebuild our financial status but it may need an overlap of support in the early probationary period of a job... we need managers to understand the difficulties of situations that may trigger flashbacks & panic attacks.. we may need flexible hours contracts with a compassionate approach from managers recognising our skills but also our pain.
I was able to hide my bruises and injuries by working agency and able to ring in sick till my attack injuries disappeared but then that was a zero hour contract ..no work no pay so needing benefit support. I would have no support of an HR and paid leave in a permanent contract.
Everything affects your pension too in old age.
Now I am an OAP 71years on 16th March born in 1954 I am a WASPI robbed of 6years pension which would have give me dignity rather than sanctioned buffered around between ESA & JSA see my blog link
I am grateful to the Late Rev Paul Nicholson charity Z2K that fought my case.
I am in my most vulnerable years now not the woman of financial substance I should have been..I am also a home managed Harefield patient using CPAP for sleep apnoeas so need warmth in winter ..but do not qualify for Winter Fuel Allowance..I am battle weary when I should be enjoying my older years!
I have over these last years turned my pain into campaign to get governments to review DWP policies
But have still not achieved this ... I would have thought a Labour Government would have heard my voice for ALL survivors and gone into action to help improve policies to support women .. but instead there is more worry and concern with cutbacks to welfare
PLEASE review policies that could endanger women survivors.
Jess read out a list of names in parliament that had died as a result of DV ..my 20 years of violence upon me from 2 perpetrators could have resulted on my name read out ..
Note when I come into parliament to APPG meetings & lobby John my MP the security scan detects my pin & plate in my left ulna..a broken arm from a brutal kicking frenzy upon me. The parliamentary staff know my history and treat me with so much love & respect for trying to campaign for All women.
Please hear my voice and act for all somen survivors!
Marjorie
Attached my Statement for the Parliamentary Inquiry into Pensioner Poverty
Ref links:
👒Women Campaigned hard to get our voices heard👒
