Lately, Wham met up with Laura*, an inspiring young woman who has had a pretty tough life but whose resilience and strength are beyond imaginable. Laura’s journey started at just 15 years old when she became a teenage mum to a boy with a health-related condition. Becoming a teenage mum in a society where this was still very stigmatised proved to be one of the hardest situations she had to face at such a young age.
Laura recalls the time when she had to pay half of her social benefits to her mother so as not to end up living with her baby in the streets. It was then that she started working with the aim of improving her life and that of her son. But unfortunately, soon after, she fell into a 7-year abusive relationship where she gave birth to her second child. This is where she learnt the meaning of being continuously mentally abused.
Laura believed that keeping her young family united was the best for her children, so she stayed and endured domestic violence. However, she had a dream which had been lingering on her mind for as long as she could remember. So she found the courage and took the decision to improve her life, both for herself and for the benefit of her children, and enrolled at the University of Malta to read for a degree and work towards a better career.
Unfortunately, like many other women living in an abusive situation, this decision did not go down well with the father of her children; it worsened her relationship with him to a point where verbal and physical abuse became part of her daily life. That was until it dawned on her that she had to get her life back. So she found that last bit of courage left within her and left him.
Needless to say, once she started court proceedings, her financial situation worsened – she found herself struggling even more. With tears streaming down her eyes, Laura talks about the tough situation she is currently experiencing with her ex. Whilst being unable to give too many details since the case is currently in court, she mentions how the father of her children as well as his mother, have been following and harassing her, with the sole aim of making her life miserable. A protection order is still not enough for them to keep away from her. I cannot help but wonder, why is it that here in Malta, a victim needs to experience irreversible trauma before she is taken seriously? Why do authorities keep ignoring such situations, letting perpetrators do as they please without experiencing consequences for their actions? Don’t authorities realise that by letting these things go unnoticed, they are subjecting the victim and the children involved to further abuse and trauma, which will probably take years to undo (if it ever gets undone)?
I look at Laura, and I cannot help but see her as if she is my own daughter. Small, petite, delicate, sensitive, empathic…one could almost see her as vulnerable. Yet the strength I see in her is astounding. No matter what, Laura doesn’t give up. And even while authorities keep on failing her, she stands tall and proud, for she has learned how tough life can be, yet she won’t let it break her. Honestly, am so proud of her and her achievements. She is such an inspiring young woman!
Today Laura is still only 24 years old, and she is halfway to finishing her studies at University. As a mother of two children, she admits it hasn’t been easy for her, far from it! She confesses that it’s not the first time that she ends up crying and feeling overwhelmingly frustrated because she has very limited help, and both of her children depend totally on her. However, she is extremely proud to be moving forward towards her aim thanks to her friends at University as well as the help that her own aunt provides her with at times. She can proudly say that in a couple of years’ time, she will be a registered nurse!
*Name has been changed to protect the identity of the young woman.
Have you experienced domestic violence in the past and are now working for a better future? Share your inspiring journey with us at wham…contact us or send us an email at [email protected]
If you are trying to build a new life following domestic violence, yet you are still struggling, contact the Women for Women Foundation, which has been set up with the main aim of helping women get back on their feet following traumatic and difficult events.
Claire Galea is a mum of three currently reading for a Degree in Nursing at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, as a mature student. She is keen about holistic patient-centered care as well as public education about health-related subjects, which she frequently writes about on Wham as a Content Writer and Website Editor.
Claire is also passionate about spreading awareness on the negative effects that domestic abuse leaves on its victims’ mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. She is the author of two downloadable ebooks, namely Heal Your Life Forever and 5 Simple Steps To Creating The Life Of Your Dreams.
Click here to check out Claire’s full bio as well as a list of all her Wham published articles
