Dear friends,

Your coming to this web site means more to me than I could ever tell you. It says to me that you are one of the courageous ones.

Why this means so much to me is that I know that when you make a difference in your own life, you make a difference in the world. And the world is urgently in need of being made different now. Now you may be one of those who believe that there is not really much that any of us can do to have any real impact in such a huge undertaking, but I call out to you now from the deepest reaches of my heart to beg you not to accept that belief, not to embrace it, for it is simply not true.

If you want a change in this world you be the change. One of my favourite quotes is from Margaret Mead; "A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. "

The way in which you walk through our world affects our world, perhaps more profoundly than you might ever have guessed. A pebble dropped into the water creates ripples that extend beyond your imagining.

As a survivor of domestic abuse I speak from experience.  Domestic Abuse has devastating physical and emotional consequences for women, children, families and whole communities, societies at large.The effects are as far reaching as ripples caused on the water by a stone breaking the surface. I know that most of you have come to this website because you have been effected direct or indirect by this silent crime behind closed doors.

 Others of you may be here out of simple curiosity, having heard about my book Shackles-Overcoming Domestic Abuse A Modern Day Taboo or simply have never had any kind of experience with this subject, yet, like to educate themselves about this insidious crime.

In either case, I see you in the category of courageous people, for it takes courage even to be curious, and that is not a courage I dismiss lightly. Part of the challenge we face in the world today is that so many people already have their minds made up about everything.

Stigma and fear prevents so many of us not to speak about such sensitive subject that still is a taboo to this day.

This is a damning indictment, as it shows little sign of improvement between our supposed enlightened society and the dark ages.

Despite concerted efforts by numerous help organisations, victims of domestic abuse can be reluctant to leave their situations, which is why media exposure of the truths of this crime is always welcome. Frightening statistics still reveal that at least two women are killed every week, by a current or ex partner; one in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, and perhaps surprisingly, one in six men.

Of course it does not have to be like this. And it will not be, so long as people at least have the courage to ask, "Might there be another way?" and "What can I do to help stop this silent crime behing closed doors?"

So welcome. It is well that you have come here. I hope that you will travel all the pages of this site, explore their contents, to find help, information but most of all motivation to help someone in need and help break the cycle of this insidious crime that holds too many victims captive.

I send my Love,

Malaika Cohen