domestically challenged
domestic violence seems to be a hot topic again lately. and for good reason: it needs to be. according to charity women’s aid:
“At least 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence in their lifetime and between 1 in 8 and 1 in 10 women experience it annually. Less than half of all incidents are reported to the police, but they still receive one domestic violence call every minute in the UK.” [emphasis mine].
there’s very little humour to be wrought from the situation, you would think… but the daily mail, or more accurately, author wendy holden, had a go: labelling marian keyes’s new novel this charming man, which tackles domestic abuse… (wait for it) “hit lit.” (’cos it sounds a bit like “chick lit”, see?) puke.
serendipitously, my feature on domestic abuse outreach services is in this month’s copy of mental health today magazine, and it was the hardest thing i’ve ever written: gruelling, upsetting and the most serious piece i’ve pulled off so far. i hope i did the topic justice, and that the title (not mine) isn’t too flighty, as i’m sure it wasn’t intended to be.
most of all, i deeply hope wendy holden somehow comes into contact with it…
read it here and here if you’d like.
update: the new york times gets it right.
May 19th, 2008 at May 19, 2008
Will read now.
1 in 4 - again! That figure gives me chills. Raising awarenes and having integrity is so important.
I feel I should say ‘thank you’ but I don’t understand why.
And so I will end by saying, you are very lovely.
x
May 19th, 2008 at May 19, 2008
Keep up the good work! I can’t believe that a purportedly educated author-woman could be so flippant. I agree with Caroline, btw, you ARE very lovely. x
May 20th, 2008 at May 20, 2008
Yes, it is 1 in 4 again! That made me feel shivery, too… But you’ve done some great awareness-raising I think, Caroline.
& Thank you both very much for calling me lovely. :)
May 22nd, 2008 at May 22, 2008
Great piece AGAIN. Very hard to do too, I know just how much you put into that. Well done
xx