Domestic violence survivor and author of You Can’t Run calls for support for Free Your Mind CIC, the only UK organisation focussed on children who experience and witness abuse in the home.
Mandy’s story is one of the worst accounts of abuse on record, and led to her eldest son’s, Daniel, suicide in 2008. She, along with her son, X-Factor star Jahmene, are strong supporters of Free Your Mind and their mission.
Her call for support coincides with October’s National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an issue which is on the rise. Earlier this year, the ONS recorded an 8% increase in children protection referrals to social services, totalling up to almost a quarter of a million across the country.
Free Your Mind aims to help the 1.8 million children and young people affected, by providing therapeutic support to help them build resilience and healthy relationships. They are based in London but have recently joined forces with Birmingham City Council to tackle the growing number of children at risk in the city.
Mandy believes that the organisation’s work in the community is a vital and responds to a need left by a lack of government intervention:
“Children simply don’t have the protection and support they need. In 2020 children were recognised as victims of domestic violence under law, but that’s where the change has ended. Free Your Mind are lobbying the government for lasting change while doing everything they can to help those in dangerous situations right now. They save lives. But they need the public’s support in their mission, whether that’s through donations or sharing their message.”
Mandy’s story doesn’t have a happy ending. Her abuser is still free and she lives with the fear of him returning to hurt her and her children every day. Jahmene has been open about his struggles with mental health because of his experiences in childhood. He is just one of many who could go on to struggle with PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, suicidal thoughts thoughout his life. Free Your Mind is working to end this cycle.
If you or someone you know needs support, you can find more information on the Free Your Mind website here: https://www.freeyourmindcic.com/
