Join us as Abi Thomas meets amazing women who have all been through the Own My Life Course, 12 sessions which enable women who have been subjected to abuse to regain ownership of their lives.

Be aware that you will hear painful stories of many types of abuse during these episodes. But you will also hear a lot of joy - and we make no apology for that!

Today we meet the wonderful Lorna. Lorna is a courageous and visionary woman who has survived both a childhood and adulthood dominated by abusers. Lorna has also lived with addiction, and been through the trauma of losing her child to care proceedings. Her journey led her to Her Circle, a beautiful organisation dedicated to supporting women with dealing with “complex motherhood”, where she found healing and empowerment. Lorna has since reclaimed her life, built a strong relationship with her daughter, and become an advocate for systemic change, including speaking in parliament.

Lorna’s former partner was significantly older than her, and subjected her to physical abuse from the start of the relationship. His emotional and psychological abuse of her was severe. Exercising control over her finances, her partner isolated her from others, manipulated and intimidated her, and his possessiveness was wielded as a way to control her relationship with her daughter, preventing cuddling her daughter or showing her she loved her. Her partner sexually abused Lorna, his threats to her were ongoing, and were realised in acts of violence, including him seriously injuring her. His abuse also included him sharing intimate videos of her online to further traumatise and control her.

Lorna is a remarkable woman, who now helps facilitate Own My Life courses, using her skills and joy to support and inspire other women. Lorna embodies strength, hope, and the power of sisterhood, transforming her what was done to her into a mission to help others reclaim ownership of their lives.

More information about Own My Life:

1. Our training HERE
2. Find a course HERE
3. Evaluations HERE
4. Own My Life Discovery HERE

Further Reading and Resources:

1. Tim Churchill’s report on domestic abuse and suicide HERE
2. Mother of Invention by Katrine Marçal
3. Making Life Worth Living article HERE

You may realise as you listen that you, or someone you know, needs help or support to get safe. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is on 0808 2000 247. If you have concerns that a man is behaving in an unsafe way to a partner you can contact the Respect Perpetrator Phoneline on 0800 802 4040.

The Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline is 0808 500 2222. Rape Crisis Scotland is 08088 010302 and Rape Crisis Northern Ireland...