Survival stories, living books, and halting violence

RISE Living Library

The RISE Living Library started in 2010 for domestic abuse survivors and workers to be able to tell personal stories and raise awareness of the impact of abuse. Volunteers offer themselves as "Living Books" and speak openly to readers about their lives and experiences. The initiative helps break down barriers and address myths and stigma around domestic abuse.

The 'living book' opening up in front of me does not want her voice to be recorded. It's not surprising: her story is about a partner she's still running from, a spectre that continues to haunt her, in spite of the courageous steps she's made.

'Being a survivor of domestic abuse is like having an illness,' she says. 'An illness with no cure.'

And she's not alone. Different forms of violence can continue long after survivors end the relationship or move out of the home; a Women's Aid study found 76% suffered post- separation violence. If survival after abuse feels like a lifelong illness, the Living Books gathered at Jubilee Library last month are looking for some kind of remedy.

Katy Bourne, the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), has been vocal about tackling violence against women and girls as part of her role, including her support of Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs), an order that allows police to stop perpetrators contacting partners for up to 28 days.

Detective Sergeant Joel Brooks, of the Safeguarding Investigations Unit in Brighton, says: 'It's a priority because of the risk involved - and the wider impact on women and their families. It's certainly a priority in Brighton. There is domestic abuse in a lot of areas, and much of it goes unsaid, unnoticed, and unreported.'

The silence from abused women was the influence behind the Sussex Police's #talktous campaign on Twitter, and it remains a concern for DS Brooks: 'We need to know what's going on so we can safeguard the people who need safeguarding.'

The jargon around domestic abuse often tip-toes nervously around the topic. With talk of "priority cases" and "civil orders", "safeguarding" and "causes for concern", conversations about violence feel more comfortable and safely removed from the realities.

But for anyone involved with a "terrorist in the home" - the title of one of the "living books" - the high-risk cases are anything but comfortable or safe.

Every week, on average, two women are killed by a partner or ex-partner; according to the World Health Organisation, domestic violence poses a bigger threat to women aged 14 to 44 than cancer, malaria, war, and traffic accidents.

Talking to Sarah, a Brighton caseworker, the picture is stark: 'High risk of serious harm or homicide; that is what high risk means.'

Sarah is part of a team of people in Brighton and Hove who work with the police and domestic abuse charities to engage with survivors of abuse. They have one clear priority: safety.

This isn't always easy.

Abusive relationships start out slowly, but the controlling behaviours escalate fast. In the course of a police assessment, there can be many "light-bulb moments" from people who did not even realise that their partner's actions were abusive.

Warning signs include taking control of finances, excessive jealousy, withholding or forcing drugs or alcohol, and limiting contact with friends and family.

'It's that slow and subtle isolation,' says Sarah, 'I often say to people, the reason that he wants to isolate you is because he wants his voice to be the only voice that you hear.'

One survivor found herself living with her violent partner miles from any town or the nearest phone box. Asked when she first realised the dangers, she says: 'The day I moved in.'

Organisations such as RISE are trying to make it easier for survivors to reach out, and the striking impression at last month's Living Library event is that of a collaborative effort.

On Wednesday mornings from 9am to 12am, RISE and the Safeguarding Investigations Unit run the Domestic Abuse Surgery, an informal drop-in service in Hove Town Hall. A few weeks ago, a woman walked in off the street with her child, and with immediate support managed to flee her partner that day.

'That was amazing, to offer that immediate support,' says a RISE worker at the surgery. 'She walked in on that morning, and she never went back'

The charity is also working with Sussex Police on Operation Ribbon this Christmas; a scheme to provide extra-efficient responses to domestic call-outs.

One in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lives. One of them is the "living book" in front of me, talking candidly about her experiences - 'ask me anything' - but firmly staying off the record.

She's been reliving her experiences for over two hours to interested "readers". This particular 'living book' is a powerful testament to something that survivors share: resilience.

And the courage to keep going.

RISE stands for Refuge, Information, Support and Education and offers help to women, children, young people affected by domestic abuse. RISE offers a specialist LGBTQI service and an assessment and referral pathway for heterosexual male survivors. Anyone concerned about domestic abuse can contact RISE on 01273 622 822, or visit our website: www.riseuk.org.uk.