I Refuse Abuse - I Refuse Abuse

Welcome to I Refuse Abuse - The website supporting an end to domestic violence and abuse and an end to the silence around domestic violence and abuse.

'Shackles - Overcoming Domestic Abuse 'by Malaika Cohen with Carole Yeoman'

Shackles is the story of one woman's battle to walk free from 34 years of abuse - ending her silence and and how she shaped and determined a life of non-abuse since breaking free.

"Violence is a crime we are becoming all too familiar with every year and in the UK a quarter of all reported violent crimes are domestic. But Domestic Abuse is not just about physical violence, though that is often the most visible and life-threatening manifestation. Domestic Abuse covers a wide range of perpetrations from the physical, sexual, psychological and or financial to the emotional. The effects are as far reaching as ripples caused on the water by a stone breaking the surface.

Domestic Abuse is most certainly about power; power over other peoples' life's and it is seldom one isolated incident. Domestic Abuse causes such total breakdown of self-esteem that the victim will almost always believe they are at fault and will undoubtedly believe they cannot escape from their situation. The shame and disgrace they feel often prevents them from crying out for help. One vital fact is not only women are victims of Domestic Abuse; men and children too.

DOMESTIC ABUSE IS A GLOBAL ISSUE!

Two deaths a week result from domestic violence, yet only 30% of the abuse is reported. Those who remain silent live a life shackled to fear and guilt, and the voices of their children are seldom heard. Is there life after abuse, and are we winning the war against this insidious crime?

I believe it is time we drag this inhumane practise out of the cupboard, shatter the secrecy, tackle all the taboos associated with the subject and raise awareness about this frightening crime.

I believe it is time we help victims understand how they can break the shackles and actually walk in freedom and new life. No one should live their life in fear of another person. That is why I have written a book living for 34 years in domestic abuse - so that others may read my story, understand the mental state of someone suffering from domestic abuse and hopefully be motivated to break the insidious cycle of fear that crime has over too many lives.

Hear Malaika Cohen, author of Shackles, discuss the writing of her book on REM.FMLIVE
on the media player below.