And it was this…

On Twitter I came across a link to an article which featured a number of tweets from women saying how they’d happily take a beating from R&B performer Chris Brown, if only they were so ‘lucky’ to ‘have’ him.

It saddened me on many levels but mainly because a) these women have demeaned the seriousness of domestic violence, b) it makes fun of victims everywhere and c) it implies that women will put up with anything if it means getting or keeping the man they want.

If you can bear to read them, here they are in all their glory. Brace yourself though, they don’t make for an easy read.

If you don’t know already, (although I’m sure most of you do) Chris Brown pleaded guilty in 2009 to the savage beating of his ( by then) ex-girlfriend, the pop songstress Rihanna.

Last Sunday he made his ‘comeback’ Grammy performance, just three years after the now infamous attack. Whilst many people – myself included -were disgusted by his attendance and apparent public acceptance by the music industry, there were unfortunately many others, like these women, who welcomed him back with warm, forgiving, open arms.

With so many women across the world continuing to suffer violence at the hands of men, indeed, the very hands of men who often propose to ‘love’ them, reading such tweets from idiotic young women was yet another stark reminder why there is still such a long way to go in changing people’s perceptions of domestic violence, not to mention attempting to stamp it altogether.

Here are some cold, hard, dreadful facts:

In the UK,

* 2 women die at the hands of a violent partner or ex EVERY week.

* EVERY minute a domestic violence call is made to the police.

* 1 out of 4 women WILL experience domestic violence in their lifetime.

It is quite simply- NO joke.

No woman should have to experience domestic violence and no woman or man should ever think that this is somehow acceptable.

For these women to think that Chris Brown’s behaviour is at all acceptable in any way and worse still, for them to make light of it, is both worrying and terrifying.

Domestic violence must be stopped.

Help stop domestic violence

Here are a few easy ways you can help to stamp it out. Please do get involved if you can.

1) Red Magazine are currently running their ‘Speak Up. Save A Life’ campaign to help prevent domestic violence and save lives. Please sign their petition. It’ll take you less than two minutes.

2) Support the UK’s two largest domestic violence charities Refuge and Women’s Aid. Follow them on social media, help raise money or simply keep up to date with their latest campaigns.

3) Keep an eye out on your nearest and dearest. None of us know what goes on behind closed doors, so if you suspect a friend or relative may be suffering, here’s how to help spot the signs.

Thanks all. Till the next time,

Katie

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