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Community News

Domestic violence campaigner speaks out in June

Mandy Thomas, Swindon author, in 2008. Mandy believes it was the victims of domestic violence and a
poet, artist, photographer - and psychological trauma of witnessing Women's Aid Survivor Ambassador.
victim of severe domestic violence the violence that was the cause, She's also been the chief advisor
and psychological torture - will talk though the coroner judged the case to script writers of Radio 4's The
about her book You Can’t Run at was inconclusive. Archers where domestic abuse and
Central Library on Thursday 2 June. Mandy was hospitalised several the consequences has been and will
She plots 18 years of times, dumped in A&E by her be a central storyline for the next
unimaginable abuse in dreadful abusive husband. Eventually he was twelve months.
detail. She was beaten, cut with jailed for 15 years but was released "People ask why I didn't just leave,
knives and glass, threatened with a on licence after six. but an abusive relationship takes
blow torch, imprisoned and raped Many would have succumbed many forms. You become trapped
many times - learning by painful to the demons inflicted into their by a clever, manipulative person in
experience to walk on eggshells consciousness by such experiences, an invisible prison of threat, I didn't
whilst bringing up 5 children, but Mandy has become an award know where to turn," said Mandy.
including Daniel who killed himself winning advocate for justice for "Since 2002 I've campaigned for
better treatment from the justice
system which leaves victims in Mandy Thomas with her son X Factor
fear that abuse will continue after finalist Jahmene Douglas
Manor Garden Centre perpertrators are released early.
Cheney Manor, Swindon "Punishment should fit the crime Survivor Ambassadors in a lobby
01793 526691 but it doesn't. It's wrong that of Parliament. Mandy said: "It's
Open 7 days a week victims should be oppressed by estimated that the cost of dealing
a system that allows abusers to with the aftermath of domestic
continue their evil activities. Should violence is £90 billion a year, but
SUMMER
SALE they have human rights when they government keeps sweeping the
Quality TGB deny women theirs?" issue under the carpet. This must
garden buildings In 2015 Mandy addressed 2,000 change."
for any situation law enforcers, politicians and policy You Can't Run was published in
Bespoke sizes makers from across the world 2015 and has so far sold well over
available attending the Femicide Conference, 2,100 copies. Help Mandy continue
describing her experiences in her campaign at Central Library on
Base laying gruesome detail and calling on them 2 June, 7.15pm. Tickets are £1.50
& installation to act for women. (library members) or £2.50.
available Later this year she will join other www.mandythomas.com

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6 swindonlink.com n June 2016

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