Closed. The boat sank, the sharks won.

As some of you will know, I’m a writer. At least two of my main characters have been victims of partner abuse, one more so than the other. They are both fortunate because I have given them both the power to open a portal, a slice through the fabric of space into another world. They can escape using their own power.

But they both still needed help and support to take that step and leave, they both needed friends to help them deal with the aftermath. And still one never fully "recovered". Sam remains harmed and damaged by her experiences, right through into the beginning of the third book. (note to readers - only the first book, The Portal Between, is available so far but book two, The Portal Sundered, is due for release in time for Christmas and the third book will take some writing!)

However, these are fictional characters with magical powers. You and I don’t have that. We can’t open a magical pathway and walk away that easily. Neither does your sister, your friend, your mother, your daughter.

Lily and Sam can escape, walk away but the scars remain. They don’t leave it behind. The violent abuse leaves a deep mark and shapes who they are, as it does every woman who has been a victim of domestic violence.

In our reality it’s harder to run, to escape, in a way. Without magic a woman has to hope that someone will help her, that someone will open a door for her and help her escape. Some don’t make it.  Two women every week (in the UK) won’t ever make it unless you count death as an escape.

Women’s Aid are our Lily’s, they open the portals for women wanting to escape. But they’re under funded and can’t catch everyone. Refuge space is woefully underprovisioned and there’s not enough room for every woman who needs it, and that’s with helping around 1,000 women in the Uk every day. Yes, 1,000 EVERY day.

only one fifth of respondents said they would talk to someone about the abuse - and if they were to talk to someone about their experiences, friends followed by family, were the most trusted confidantes. (Refuge.org - Early Warning signs campaign.)

Friends. That’s us. We’re the friends or family. We can listen, we can inform and empower. I will, and I do, at every opportunity. But will you?