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dear mum

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Dear Mum, You’ve been gone so long, you’ve left me with so many mixed feelings. I need to let it all out even though you can’t read this. Why didn’t you pick me up when I cried? Why did you push me away? You never hugged me or kissed me, I was only just a little girl. I needed you dear mum, yet you were so cold. You told me nice stories about Jesus but you also mentioned the devil so many times. I was so terrified each time I did something wrong because I knew you would beat me up and as if thatRead More…

unknown father unrecognised mother in police conduct

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In: Lived Experiences, More, Women

Recently an anguished mother contacted Francesca Fenech Conti, administrator of the group Women for Women (Malta), about a shocking issue she encountered when picking up a police conduct for her son…a son she had to raise on her own because his father refused to take any responsibility for his upbringing, leading the mother to register her son as having an “unknown father”. Despite the shock and emotional pain endured due to the situation, this mother is now on a quest to see justice prevail and to bring about the necessary changes in this regard. This is her story… Living in a Patriarchal Society – ARead More…

i forgave my abuser

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In: Lived Experiences, More, Women

Through an anonymous post shared on the group Women for Women (Malta), a woman has shared her horrific experience of domestic violence with her narcissistic, and violent partner. The extent of her ordeal is clearly felt in her words: “I forgave my abuser because I was afraid he would kill me if I didn’t“. Anita* understands that some may ask,” Why do some women first report their partners for allegedly abusing them, yet later drop the charges against them?”. Anita tells us why she “forgave” her abuser. A year ago, Anita went through a traumatic experience with her partner, a narcissist. Lying, twisting and manipulatingRead More…

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In: Home and Family, More

Santa was late this Christmas in delivering a gift to a 9 year old girl…yet thanks to Angela and Omar’s kindness and help, he still managed to make it right in time to deliver gifts and lots of happiness! Covid 19 might have ruined many people’s Christmas but there are always heart warming stories too. As I lay alone at home in quarantine and my husband upstairs in isolation, another message came in on my phone, most of them today have been to thank me or from friends to wish me a happy Christmas. This one was different. It said “I’m a single parent andRead More…

what to do on christmas day

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Still unsure about what to do on Christmas day? If you are spending this festive season alone or quieter than usual, consider these suggestions that will benefit your overall emotional and relational wellbeing… It’s 5am and I am writing this article in front of a fully lit Christmas tree. I am thinking how reluctant I was to decorate this year and how happy I am that I did. “Focus on light not on darkness” is great advice, as we face celebrating the festive season in our own little “bubble” away from extended family and friends. Digital Christmas 2020 During the best of times, the festiveRead More…

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In: Health, Lived Experiences, Mental Health

I can’t breathe … That is the primary thought that races through my mind every time that I suffer an anxiety attack due to an anxiety disorder. Then my chest tightens, my heart starts racing, my body starts trembling, I have trouble focusing and I am filled with the most awful feeling of dread ever. At that moment in time, the world stops. Then I remember to breathe … slow breaths whilst holding myself tight … and my focus starts to come back. I open my tear-filled eyes and I can see the world again. Slowly, it all starts getting better again and I manageRead More…

aftermath of a narcissist

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Unless experienced first hand, the aftermath of narcissistic abuse cannot even be imagined. This is how narcissists destroy lives, as told by a survivor of narcissistic abuse… It is the Christmas season and for many people out there, this is the season of love, joy and prosperity. But not for all … for people like me, there are times when the twinkling lights and the cheery Christmas carols serve as a means of transportation back to a horrible time where I was cheated on and treated like scum … a time where I was at the complete mercy of a narcissist, and the worst thingRead More…

child maintenance

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In: Lived Experiences, More

Yesterday I received a heartfelt message from a close friend of mine, a wonderful mother to 3 lovely children, a woman who I’ve known for more than a decade. During our conversation later on this mother with a broken heart couldn’t hold back tears for all the pain that her ex and father of her youngest son was still putting her through. And the worst part of it all is the reality that our country’s court system seems to be supporting such fathers in tormenting their exes and their own children through lack of action, even when there is evidence of injustice and never-ending liesRead More…

landlords refuse rent to single mother

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Lately, more and more women are coming forward on the popular Facebook group Women for Women (Malta) to talk about a very common issue that single mothers are currently facing when they’re looking to rent an apartment. Whilst the frequently mentioned issues remain as such, including drastic increases in rent prices to long term tenants, we have just met Tina*, who is experiencing what looks to be discrimination specifically targeted to single mothers, where landlords refuse single mothers looking to rent a place to live in. Tina* has been renting a flat for the past year, and has always paid her rent and bills inRead More…

marrying a paedophile

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Paedophile alert! All was set, I was finally going to marry! However little did I know that I was just about to marry a paedophile! It was 2010 and I was a single mother to a 3 year old. I was happy but felt something was missing, so I joined the Connecting Singles dating website. After a few strange messages I finally got a lovely message from a man. He seemed so lovely! He had recently moved to Malta and worked in i-gaming. After a couple of weeks chatting we decided to meet up. We got on so well! He was lovely, I even openedRead More…