…celebrates 10th anniversary
An appeal has been made to families and members of public to be more empathetic to people in abusive relationships and survivors of domestic abuse in the society. President Warien Rose Foundation and convener, Domestic Violence Anonymous (DVA), Dr. Efe Anaughe, made the call at the landmark celebration of the foundations’ 10th anniversary.
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At the event with the theme, ‘A Decade of Courage: Empowering Survivors of Abuses’, which held in Lagos, Anaughe said statistics show that an abused person tends to leave the home of the abusers or relationships seven times over and are likely to leave the home almost dead.
According to her, having managed DVA for a decade, she despaired some misconceptions against abused persons and highlighted their challenges. She advised people to listen more, support and never make hasty and uninformed decisions for abused persons or survivors to leave their relationships or marriages especially when they are not ready to leave.
Anaughe urged people not to judge, condemn or blame them but to put themselves in their positions. Besides, people don’t have the same experiences since they are not in that shoe, and will not understand what the abusers are passing through nor their thought patterns.
However, reports show that people are emotionally, sexually, physically, psychologically tied to their abusers and sometimes it is difficult to cut the relationship ties.
She observed that most of the abused persons horridly leave their homes, relationship or marriage without a plan B or exit plan, some leave without their documents, schools’ certificates, money or clothes, while others leave with children without a viable source of income to cater for themselves and children, so they become liabilities to their extended families, friends and the society.
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“However, it is really very tough out there, because unfortunately these extended persons also have their own personal and family issues.” Warien Rose Foundation has empowered theses survivors in different capacities as skilled and non- skilled persons with jobs and businesses to contribute to nation building since its 35 years of existence, which birthed Domestic Violence Anonymous (DVA) a decade ago.
“With the establishment of Warien Rose academy, we assist them on personal and business development especially on self-awareness, self- discovery journey and vocational skills.
Dr. Anaughe also addressed vital topics domestic violence and inspiring survivors to break free from the shackles of abuse which include: Understanding the complexities of domestic violence; Breaking free from toxic relationships; Protecting yourself and loved ones; Accessing vital resources (legal, medical, financial, and more) and gaining insights from specialist perspectives.
The event also offered valuable insights as legal experts share strategies for navigating the justice system; medical professionals, discuss holistic healing and recovery; spiritual leaders provide comfort and guidance and therapeutic specialists offering tools for emotional empowerment among others.
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