Inspiration.
I stand before you as a disposable woman. Oh, I mean, as a female English foreigner in Spain, who spent years in a non-married relationship with a man I had trusted and unfortunately discovered he was not trustworthy.
To the Guardia Civil. Thank you for taking my statements with no access to legal advocacy or representation. (As the OI6 gender violence helpline advises women to have legal representation when filing a complaint) I now know why.. Complaints are summarised and twice my complaints were misreported to the Women’s Court.
To the Women’s Court and Judges. Thank you for leaving me unprotected against the person who had been emotionally and psychologically manipulative, threatening, verbally aggressive and intimidating. The man who was telling me to “behave as I’ve requested” or shouting in my face “I’m in control, you do as I say.” The threats of being thrown out onto the streets. “It will happen quickly and it won’t be pleasant.”
To the social services, thank you for acknowledging my economic vulnerability and precarious situation while attempting to cover up the institutional sexist violence and intimate partner legal intimidation and abuse of the past 5 years.
Trauma and Healing Journey.
Quoting Madonna“As women, we have to start appreciating our own worth and each other’s worth. Seek out strong women to befriend, to align yourself with, to learn from, to collaborate with, to be inspired by, to support, and enlightened by.”
I make no apologies for healing out loud and speaking my truth. As a survivor, other English women who have had similar experiences in Spain have connected as friends. These connections are invaluable as we can share our stories and make sense of situations that make no sense.
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