Giving Women A Voice

Aim

We need to raise £2000 to help support and empower female victims of domestic violence by publishing our book of survivor-lead stories.

After publishing my first book 'The Reinvention of Me' on Amazon in 2018, my whole life changed. The doors of opportunity opened up to me in ways I have only dreamed about. Over the past few years I have learnt how to triumph in the face of adversity and turn my life around. I have witnessed or endured life experiences that you could not imagine anyone surviving. I believe that by overcoming our fears and taking ourselves out of comfort zones, we finally find out our true potential, and who we really are. I was absolutely thrilled to be announced as the Winner of the Successful Women in Business Award for 'Overcoming Adversity' in June 2019! After riding an emotional roller-coaster for many years, it was so humbling, and equally amazing, to receive such recognition.

THE POWER OF THE WRITTEN WORD...

I am no stranger to abuse, and after finally breaking my silence in 2018 and sharing my story in my first book, I was overwhelmed by the number of women who reached out to me to share their own personal stories of abuse. Receiving so many messages and 'cries for help', resonated with me emotionally, and I decided that I just couldn't do nothing about it.  Therefore, in September 2018,  I made the decision to write another book - a book that would give women around the world the vocal platform they have been screaming out for, for too long. No one should suffer in silence at the hands of another human being.

 My new book has 12 Co-Authors on-board from the UK, the USA, and Malta. I am also very pleased to share with you that after a very successful meeting with Dr Miriam Dalli MEP in September 2018, this book is going to be endorsed by Dr Dalli, as she has very kindly offered to write the Foreword. I have Maltese heritage and thought it would be a great idea to involve Dr Miriam Dalli MEP, with a view to  highlighting different perspectives, and also for me to expose the lengths loved ones will go to in order to silence you.

'16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence - Malta 2019'

At the beginning of my project, Co-Authors could only sign-up by paying a fee, and as such, many women sadly declined the opportunity due to financial constraints. I obviously need to generate an income from this project to pay for my time, marketing, promotion, research, etc. But it pained me to say 'sorry' to so many women who couldn't afford to sign up and become a part of this global anthology project. Therefore, in order to get all Co-Authors signed up to my new book, at the beginning of 2019, I made the decision to offer this much-needed opportunity for free.

I am a single parent of 6 beloved children, 4 of whom are under 18 years old, and one who very sadly passed away in 2010 to Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  I live in a one bed flat with 3 of my children, which is by no means easy! But I believe in embracing obstacles and making the most of what we have.

With that thought in mind, I would love to help give a voice to women whose voices have been suppressed for far too long, by too many people! Women and children who are living, or have lived, in very difficult circumstances - yet to the outside world, are continuing to put on such a brave face. I am working on publishing my book this Spring 2020 - a book that is going to create huge waves! Waves that will give hope, encouragement, strength and empowerment to women across the world #MeToo #HearMyVoice.

Facts and figures regarding various forms of violence (Credits: unwomen.org)

• It is estimated that 35 per cent of women around the world have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or sexual violence by a non-partner (not including sexual harassment) at some point in their lives.
• Some national studies show that up to 70 per cent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. 
• Evidence shows that women who have experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence report higher rates of depression, having an abortion and acquiring HIV, compared to women who have not.
• It is estimated that of the 87,000 women who were intentionally killed in 2017 globally, more than half (50,000- 58 per cent) were killed by intimate partners or family members, meaning that 137 women across the world are killed by a member of their own family every day. More than a third (30,000) of the women intentionally killed in 2017 were killed by their current or former intimate partner.
• Approximately 15 million adolescent girls (aged 15 to 19) worldwide have experienced forced sex (forced sexual intercourse or other sexual acts) at some point in their life. 

These are just but a few statistics worldwide regarding the horrors and inhumane treatments from perpetrators towards their female victims. Why should young girls and women across the world be living in fear 24/7; walking on 'eggshells'; or be too scared to ask to leave the house, due to manipulation, control, or by their male family member/s or partner using gaslighting techniques? I am determined in my quest to help give women a voice! To help teach, support, advocate, and empower them to realise that they are loved, they are worthy, they are intelligent, and they have the right to say 'no more' and change their lives!

#thecourtsaid Protest in Parliament Square, London, October 2019

Over the past 12 months my story has been featured in the Press & Media across the world:

• Guest Speaker on behalf of Maltese Government for their Conference on Domestic Violence - Nov 2019 (Malta)
• Guest Speaker on behalf of the University of Malta to open their #StopTheSilence Campaign - Nov 2019 (Malta)
• Guest Speaker on Illum ma' Steph, topical daytime TV show in Malta - Nov 2019.
• #thecourtsaid Domestic Violence protest in Parliament Square, London - Oct 2019
• BBC Radio Solent - Oct 2019 (UK)
• TEDx Workshop in Bristol - August 2019
• BBC Spotlight News - June 2019 (UK)
• International Guest Speaker at The YOU Trust Conference - May 2019 (UK)
• Inspiring Lives Magazine - March 2019 (USA) 
• Dorset Echo Weekend Magazine - 2018 (UK)
• Dorset Echo - 2018-2019 (UK)
• Wessex FM - 2018-2019 (UK)
• globalsisterhoodonline.org - April 2018 (USA) 
• Times of Malta newspaper - 2018-2019
• It-torca Maltese Newspaper - 2018-2020
• Malta International Guest Speaker for Labour Party Conference on Domestic Abuse - Nov 2018 (Malta)
• Meeting with Dr Miriam Dalli MEP in Malta - Sept 2018

Together I  believe we can all create positive change. I would appreciate any help you can provide towards this very important project. Any donation, no matter how big or small, will be gratefully appreciated. Let us all collaborate together as human beings to help provide a lifeline to women who are desperately looking for a way out. For guidance on how to recognise 'traits of abusive behaviour', and to figure out what a healthy relationship should feel like. 

This book will be available online as a Paperback, E-book and across bookstores on the island of Malta, with a view to making paperback versions available in bookstores in the UK and the USA!

'Changing The Narrative To Change Lives'

Visit my website for more details - www.onevoicemychoice.co.uk

This project successfully funded on 18th March 2020