I am very glad this law has come into effect, emotional abuse often conceals a violent man or woman.
Emotional abuse does not always happen during domestic marriages and partnerships. Men or women that try to control the other person in the relationship can often flip into violence.
I always thought that a religious environment such as a Meeting House or somewhere like Temple Methodist Church in Taunton would be a safe environment for women who go there on their own. However I was a victim of emotional abuse from a fellow Quaker who was male and twice my height and weight.
At Wellington Meeting I witnessed an emotional abusive attack by two women during the Local Business Meeting when a report was communicated from Trustees.
On both occasions it was decided that the fault lay with the victim for inviting the attack. How does such bullying arise? Often I feel it happens when a group of individuals conspire to dislike an outsider or someone who has a different viewpoint and the object is to control or change that person from the human right to hold another view.
What makes us strong when we endure this kind of behaviour? As a trained and qualified Quaker Healer I was asked to prepare ministry on this subject.
I offer the following meditation: the snowdrop meditation by Zoe Ainsworth-Grigg
Relax
Make sure you are feeling warm and comfortable.
It is
a cold day outside.
You are sitting by a warm fire, snuggled up in warm clothes,
everything is quiet and peaceful.
Outside the snow is falling in a deserted garden. The white of the snow begins to illuminate
the room and you move to the window to look outside.
Everything is blanketed by the snow until you see:
The white of a perfect snowdrop sheltered under another
plant.
You wonder how it can survive in such harsh conditions and
as you look you are absorbed by its fragility and resilience.
And now you acknowledge
your own fragility and resilience.
The perfect small flower and the white of the snow envelops
you in a beautiful white light , this Light gradually surrounds you – bringing
you deep peace, absorb this healing and peace for yourself.
Now bring to mind anyone who needs healing and peace at this
time, let the Light spread .. in the
knowledge that healing is being acknowledged and received where it is needed.
(Allow time for this to happen) keep concentrating on the white Light and the image of the snowdrop.
And now become aware of yourself still feeling warm and
secure, go back to where you were sitting by the warm fire and very gradually,
come back to the present and open your eyes.
