By, Sandy Rashty
1 min read
BySandy Rashty, Sandy Rashty
An emotional letter from a domestic abuse victim was read out by actress Alison Steadman at Tuesday's annual fundraising lunch for Jewish Women's Aid.
The letter was from a young mother, given the pseudonym Becca, who left her husband a year ago after receiving support from JWA.
"For a while I just suffered quietly, thinking what I was going through was normal," she wrote. "At the end of the day, Dan never hit me, or even threatened any violence towards me or my daughter. When I finally had the courage to pick up the phone and call you, I still struggled to believe what I was going through was called 'abuse'.
"In fact, I very nearly didn't turn up the first time I came to see you. I was scared of facing the truth. Scared of what the repercussions would be if he ever found out. I panicked because I had taken time off work and Dan might notice it on my pay cheque and question me. Just the typical type of controlling behaviour he displayed."
She added: "The journey has been long and painful. But when I think that now I have money I can spend how I want, I can cook food that I want and be friends with the people who I want to be friends with, it makes me realise I have done the right thing."
Before reading the letter, Ms Steadman told the 250 guests that when she began learning about JWA's work, "I was horrified by the number of women who have to suffer - and so many of them suffer silently - in abusive relationships".
Shadow Mental Health Minister Luciana Berger spoke about the impact of domestic violence on victims and their communities, going on to applaud JWA's work. The charity has experienced a 50 per cent surge in demand since running an awareness campaign in Jewish areas in November.
"We know that experiencing domestic violence and abuse can be a contributing factor in mental illness," Ms Berger said. "In particular, we also know that it affects the mental health of the children who witness it.
"Let us be under no illusions. Domestic abuse is taking place on our doorsteps and affecting Jewish women."
JWA supported 400 women last year. Reporting that the charity is set to assist 600 women and their children in 2016, executive director Naomi Dickson added that it would develop its education programme "so that it reaches young Jewish people from school, through university and beyond". By educating them about healthy relationships, "we can help to prevent domestic violence".
The central London event raised more than £150,000.