Do you need a 'reality check' over domestic abuse?

The book illustrates a collection of very real stories of domestic abuse in the lives of young women and will be officially launched next Wednesday, November 17, between 7pm and 8.30pm at Verbal Arts Centre.

Its creators from the Gender Equality Unit of Youth Action North West ask have you ever stopped and thought about your life - how well am I being treated by those around me who are supposed to love me? Am I valued? Am I loved? Am I treated as an equal in my relationships? Do I feel like I am being abused?

If so - the group suggest - you may need a ‘Reality Check.’ They are encouraging anyone with doubts to get along to the launch on Wednesday.

The comic book consists of three stories which have been inspired and created by the young women themselves, after exploring the issues and creating realistic role-plays to reflect these.

The group hopes to highlight the existence of domestic abuse among younger women and the various forms that this takes. We hope young women will read the comic book and honestly ask themselves is this what my relationship looks like, do I need to take a ‘Reality Check?’

The book can be used by youth workers, teachers and other key service providers as an educational resource and more importantly the group hope it will act as a conversation starter into what has been typically seen as a very ‘taboo’ subject.

Details of key support organisations are provided in the comic book so that young women who are having difficulties in their lives can avail of these services.

It is funded through The Big Deal Programme and is part of The ‘Safe and Sound’ programme which is funded through the Department of Education and Youthnet.

The Safe and Sound project is a developmental youth work programme which focuses on relationships in the lives of young women, raising awareness of domestic abuse and the impact it can have on the quality of their lives.

To date the programme has successfully reached out to many young women, several of whom were keen to stay on and further explore the issue of domestic abuse and advocate for other young women, forming a young women’s ‘working group’ for the North West.

If you are interested in attending the launch or would like copies of ‘Reality Check’ please contact Emma Johnston or Donna McFeely from YouthAction Northern Ireland on 02871318854 or email [email protected].