“When it comes to abuse my advice is this: there are two sides to every story but it is a fact that there is only one side if someone is being emotionally or physically abused.
Once abuse is part of the story, immediate help should be recommended to the victim of abuse.
I don’t care if she is supposedly the worst woman on the planet according to her husband.
Her right to be safe in her own home can not be violated. Period.
There is divorce for hating one’s spouse, but abuse is never tolerated.
Those who keep saying, “but what about his side” may mean well but their priorities are out of line.
Safety first.
Then two sides.
Otherwise, there may never be another side to tell their story because they are no longer with us.
Any woman experiencing abuse and writing about it is desperate for help.
She is also terrified of seeking it.
She hates abuse and also fears change. Maybe she fears being on her own, has financial fears, how her family might blame her fears, etc.
She is afraid.
Next time you reply to any woman – think of the frightened little girl inside of her needing help.”
Megan Wyatt, Life & Relationship Coach and Founder of Wives of Jannah & One Meaningful Life.
These words perfectly sum the side of the abused. This was in response to all those abusers who justify their criminal behaviour by wanting to show ‘their side’.
‘Ask for Ani’ is a domestic abuse codeword that stands for Action Needed Immediately.
Anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse and needs immediate help can ask for ‘ANI’ in a participating pharmacy in the UK. If a pharmacy has the ‘Ask for ANI’ logo on display, it means they’re ready to help. They will offer you a private space, provide a phone and ask if you need support from the police or other domestic abuse support services.
For more information and direction, do visit:
#AskforAni, #DomesticAbuse
From the 14th of January, victims of domestic abuse have been able to access much needed support from thousands of pharmacies across the UK.
- The Ask for ANI scheme allows those at risk or suffering from abuse to discreetly signal that they need help and access support.
- By asking for ANI, a trained pharmacy worker will offer a private space where they can understand if the victim needs to speak to the police or would like help to access support services such as a national or local domestic abuse helplines.
- As an essential retailer based on high streets across the country, and with specifically trained staff, pharmacies can provide a safe space for victims to sound an alarm if they are isolated at home with their abuser and unable to get help in another way.
- Pharmacies will be given promotional material to display in store to signal to victims that they are participating.
Muslim Mamas has shown support for this campaign with Not Another Mum Pod, covering the horrific story of abuse of renowned author Samra Zafar
For the full story, you can listen to this here and read the shownotes to find out the main take-aways.
12. Child Bride: A Story of Survival & Self-Discovery (With Samra Zafar) – Not Another Mum Pod
Do share this far and wide. You never know who needs to hear this. You never know who is waiting for your help.
Domestic abuse is not just violence; it is also emotional abuse, emotional blackmail, forcing or pressuring your children to do things against their will as well as using Qur’an and Hadith to justify the oppression. We need to be aware of this. We need to change this. And we need to safeguard our children and young adults with ISLAM over culture/’honour’. We need to speak up when we witness it. If you or someone you know is going through some of this, speak up. There is no honour in silence.
“People have this idea that child marriage is like a child being taken, kicking and screaming into a room and being chained or roped up or tied up, and then forced to sign somewhere. Force is not a gun to your head or a knife to your throat.
Force is coercion. Force is pressure. Force is that invisible, intangible cycle that is created around you, that if you say no, you’re damned, and if you say yes, you’re damned.” Samra Zafar
Ask for ANI
Do you feel controlled, belittled or isolated by a partner or family member?
This is domestic abuse and it is never your fault.
Help is always available and You Are Not Alone.
You do not deserve abuse. You deserve support.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, Ask for ANI in Pharmacies that display the ‘Ask for ANI’ logo to get immediate help to call the police or support services.
For free helplines support and advice visit gov.uk/domestic-abuse
