Hi All,
Today’s post comes after the revelations and imagery across the world depicting Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi this week. I don’t think I need to go over the images again as we have all seen them. Plus it makes me so sad to look at them. It is now understood that her husband, the media/art magnate Saatchi, has accepted a police caution and rightly so, but what has been left over is a whole host of questions regarding what has happened behind closed doors in this home. If he is willing to be so threatening in public, then what does this mean for their home life, I dread to think, but it does lead us to look at the broader picture of abuse.
When I was in my first year of university, we were give mouse mats, pens and stickers with the words “No Excuse For Domestic Abuse” written on them. This is a phrase that has stayed with me ever since, but it encompasses so much more than physical abuse. It also takes into consideration psychological abuse too.
Should Nigella now be viewed as the face of domestic violence?
My answer = NO. Nigella has built her career and profile up since the early 2000′s and deserves respect and acknowledgement for her achievement, not for her husbands idiocy. She has faced hardships in her life, her first husband and father to her children passed away from cancer, and of course there are the jibes about her fabulous figure. She must be a tough cookie and should not be penalised for the actions of someone else – out of control and not her fault.
One of the things that really saddened me was how the atrocity has been covered in the media. The Daily Mail, for example, was amongst many papers to also let the world know how much the couple's home is worth, what her children are like and how much money they have spent on renovations and other investments. What has this got to do with the incident? The questions raised by Saatchi’s actions should be the priority - who is even interested in the price of the home at this point?
All of this was placed in between the images of a scared/terrified Nigella having her neck held in what looks like a threatening manner. Not a good image to be giving yourselves, writers, it makes you look cheap – in my opinion. I guess violence sells at the end of the day. Above all else, the focus should now be turned to Nigella and her children’s mental health. There is no way that this won't have had an affect on her mental state and her children will have seen the images – that is not a healthy way to see your mother and the man that they have grown with.
Are you experiencing similar domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse of any kind, whether you are a female or male should not be ignored. Easier said than done, but we are talking about your life and loves that are being destroyed. Many year ago there was little help available and domestic abuse was not spoken about in public. Now though, there are many ways that you can get help, be supported and ultimately live a happier lifeThe National Domestic Violence
National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline is open 24 hours a day. Run by Refuge and Women’s Aid, the line is open for both men and women to use whenever they can or need to. It can be anonymous if you wish, but it can help you to tell your story, understand your needs and move forward from this life. The line is free, so I urge anyone in need to get in touch.
Domestic abuse is a crime, whether it is psychological bullying or there are obvious physical bruises, it has to stop and should not be ignored.
