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November 10, 2024

Long time, no see!!

Wow, I don’t really know where to start! I just felt that I should explain my very long absence from this blog and also thank you all for hanging in there and waiting for me.

I have spoken before about my health issues so it probably doesn’t come as any surprise, when I tell you I have been ill. I wont bore you with the details but I was in hospital for 9 weeks, during which time, I had major stomach surgery and caught sepsis and was in the Intensive Care Unit for some time. I am home now and still recovering (laying in bed for 9 weeks has left me very weak).

I haven’t been at work for the longest time. I hope to return soon. Big, massive shout out to my bosses at NCDV, who have, quite frankly, been nothing short of amazingly supportive.

So that is what I have been doing! What have you been doing?!

I have been watching a lot of television lately and recently watched the dramatization of a true story – ‘Until I kill you’. I can not recommend it enough. Over 4 consecutive episodes, it tells the story of Delia Balmer who became involved with an extremely violent, controlling man, and how she escaped and survived the abuse she experienced. Her partner, John Sweeney, was, unbeknown to her at the time, a serial killer. It is followed by a documentary about the same, which featured the real Delia Balmer, speaking about her experiences. Not just of abuse, but more importantly, about how she feels she was let down by the justice system and the police.

For me, the story resonated with me on so many levels. Both with my own experiences and of working for so many years with thousands of victim/survivors of domestic abuse and violence. It also cemented my opinion, which I have shared before, which is that there is a correlation between domestic abuse and serial killers. I won’t get on my soap box about that again!!

If you are in the UK, please do give it a watch. You can find it on ITVX. BUT, please be warned. It is pretty graphic in parts and could be triggering to some. In which case, don’t watch it!

Well, that is all for now. Again, thank you for sticking with me. Especially those of you who have paid subscriptions. I appreciate you all.

Until next time………………….

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  • I first met Sharon back in 2000 when I went into a refuge she worked in after fleeing a violent relationship. I had two babies and virtually just a bag of clothes and a few toys with us. She helped me with appointments with the police, solicitors and..

    A survivor of domestic abuse.
  • I was fortunate enough to meet and work with Sharon when she was the Advocacy Manager at Woman’s Trust and I was working for Westminster City Council. During this time Sharon developed and managed the Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy Service..

    Ainslie O’Connor – Principal Advisor for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet – Adelaide, Australia.
  • Thank you so much for all the support you have given me. You really have been amazing, and to be honest, I wouldn’t have been able to cope with Child Protection without you. The amount of strength you have given me is totally priceless, even with..

    A survivor of domestic abuse.
  • I knew Sharon as a work colleague over ten years ago. At the time, she was supporting vulnerable people, some of them were homeless due to domestic abuse and substance misuse. For me, assisting such people was what anyone in her role would be expect..

    Ted Chanza, Head of Market Operations, Airtel Malawi Ltd, Lilongwe, Malawi, Africa.
  • I have known Sharon for 6 years and have had the pleasure of working alongside her when I chaired the Westminster MARAC. Sharon is a committed, empathetic supporter of women who are or have experienced domestic abuse. She regularly goes the extra m..

    Former Chair of The Westminster MARAC.
  • I was fortunate to have had Sharon as my support worker after 17 years of domestic violence and 4 children that had witnessed and gone through it with me. I was finally strong enough to stand up and protect myself and my children. Without Sharon’s ..

    A survivor of domestic violence.
  • Without the support and constant reassurance of Sharon, I know for a fact that I wouldn’t be where I am today. I am forever grateful to her. She is extremely dedicated and knowledgeable, having her on my side when dealing with someone as persistent..

    Anonymous survivor of Domestic Abuse.
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