Soon after I was married, my husband started to become abusive. After two years of psychological, emotional and physical abuse I decided to leave him. It was not easy. I could not sleep and I felt like a failure. I questioned my culture, my religion for allowing men to women treat women as second class citizens. To make matters worse some members of my community in London were on his side. I felt too embarrassed to tell anyone what happened to me.  I thought they would laugh at me, I have always been an ambitious girl with dreams, and always bubbly and I have worked so hard and respected everyone.

After confiding in a friend, she told me to contact a Somali Community Centre to see what support they could offer. I spoke to a man there who said they did not specialise in domestic violence issues but he knew of the Asian Women’s Resource Centre (AWRC), furthermore they were located in the borough where I lived.  I went to the AWRC with a friend and met the domestic violence worker. The worker listened to my case, she was patient and lovely, she made me feel welcome. She assured me that I have a lot of life to celebrate and that I was not a failure.  AWRC also referred me to a very good solicitor who helped me get an injunction against my husband.  I have now qualified as a lawyer.

AWRC are the best people that I have met. I always say that I was blessed to meet them, because now I know that I am not alone and whenever I am down I always have someone to talk to and a shoulder to cry on. I cannot thank the AWRC enough.