Deborah Thomson

I envisage the book to be used as an educational resource for policy makers, social services staff, students and the general public as well as victims of abuse who from reading this book might be encouraged to leave the abusive relationship early rather than later.This book will be of interest to secondary schools as an educational acquisition for students who in the course of their studies, may look at societal issues such as family violence or abusive relationships and how to recognise such abuse.

Deborah left Wayne after eighteen years of his violence, taking their children with her. She thought they were now free from abuse. Not so. This is the sequel to Whose Life Is It Anyway? Recognising and Surviving Domestic Violence. Deborah looks closely at the pitfalls of Family Law court as experienced by an abused parent, while attempting to keep her children safe from harm. It is a story that will resonate with every parent engaging in a fight for the rights of children. Does the Family court act 'in the best interests' of the child? You be the judge.

"Sadly, people living in abusive situations face a shocking reality of life. And these people are people just like you and me. This is Deborah Thomson’s story; how she came to be in an abusive situation and how she regained her strength and self-confidence to leave it behind. Abuse may be threefold. Firstly, there is the direct abuse by the perpetrator. Secondly, on another level, the suffering can be intensified when there is no remorse by the abuser. Thirdly, (an often ignored area) is the judgment of others. When friends, family or the general public find out about the abuse and judge the sufferer for either staying with the abuser or leaving.