Let Us Lead the Change Training Programme: Abused Women Finding Their Voice and Making a Stand
“You are not alone.” – Yvette
“You are not a victim forever. You too will overcome the challenges that you face.” – Raquel
“I hope our stories inspire other women who are experiencing or have experienced abuse.” – Violet
Yvette, Raquel and Violet are survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. They are among nine Filipino women taking part in Let Us Lead the Change Training Programme, a holistic programme that aims to put the lived experience of domestic violence and trafficking survivors at the centre of our approach. The year-long project seeks to rebuild their confidence, increase their knowledge of their rights, and equip them with advocacy skills to change policies hurtful to women.
Participants and the SEEAWA team with Act Build Change trainer Dami Makinde (second row, extreme right).
Understanding Women’s Needs
With funding from Blue Thread and Civic Power, we developed a training programme based on our participants’ needs and aspirations.
Starting with a workshop on employment rights given by Migrants Rights Network, we followed this through with a series of workshops covering self-care and collective care, power and storytelling facilitated by Act Build Change. We then partnered with Sounddelivery Media which provided sessions on understanding audiences, interviewing and podcasting.
From Fear to Courage
Participants learning about how to tell their stories from Sounddelivery Media trainer Suyin Hanes.
Many of the participants have spoken up about feeling alone for many years and that meeting other women through the programme has given them comfort.
They spoke of the initial shame they felt for finding themselves in such a horrific situation. “What will my family and friends in the Philippines think of me?”
They said they didn’t know that domestic abuse is not just physical abuse but also includes coercive control – threatening, humiliating, or intimidating behaviour aimed to deprive survivors of independence and make them feel isolated and scared. “I didn’t realise this is a form of domestic abuse until things turned for the worse,” they shared.
They talked about their fear of reporting their abusers to the police. “My partner said that if I report him, I’ll be the one in trouble because I’m undocumented.” Raquel’s fear of being separated from her child had prevented her from seeking help until things got out of hand.
The women also recognised the role of religious and cultural conditioning which have prevented them from leaving their abusers. “In the Philippines, marriages are forever, no matter what,” they said.
It had not been easy for them to leave their abusers. Thanks to the help of local councils and charities, they found the courage to make a stand. It was time to make a change for themselves and their children.
The Changes Women Want to See
On International Women’s Day, we came together to affirm each other and celebrate each and small steps we have taken to find our voices.
They came up with a list of changes they would like to see in UK policies dealing with domestic violence and trafficking.
✅ For undocumented women and their children who are victims of domestic abuse to be given recourse to public funds.
✅ For trafficking survivors going through the NRM to be allowed to work.
✅ Within the police, for a more sensitive and trauma-informed process of reporting domestic abuse.
The Power of Collective Stories
Many of them have spoken up about feeling alone for many years. Through the programme, they said they have found the power to speak up and stand up for themselves.
In the coming weeks, our participants will be using their digital storytelling skills to share their stories of change. Their message to other abused women: You are not alone.
We are making small steps but there is more work to be done. Support our digital stories project so we can bring the stories of Yvette, Raquel and Violet and all the women in our project.
Donate to us today in our campaign to raise awareness and prevent domestic violence within the East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) community in Britain.
If you would like to know more about our project, email liezel@seeawa.org.uk.