Charity leader helping to tackle domestic violence

A charity leader from Nigeria wants to help the police and councils overcome cultural barriers when tackling domestic violence.

Ruth Mojisola Obasa, who now lives in Witney, set up Jewins Women2Women in 2012 following her own experience of being in an abusive relationship.

She faced years of financial and emotional abuse during her marriage but struggled to seek help - which she attributes to her background.

Now the charity is offering cultural training to councils, the police, faith leaders and other organisations to help them support victims.

Ms Obasa said: "I had internalised financial, psychological and emotional abuse for seven years.

"In my case, [my husband] was diverting funds back to Nigeria and we never had a plan as a husband and wife. It was a singular marriage and he made all these decisions with his parents, excluding me and the children.

"Because I was a pastor at the time, I had to endure, because in my African culture domestic abuse is seen as a cultural thing. It's patriarchal, so women are seen and not heard, and if you speak out you are ostracised and shamed."

The abuse she experienced culminated in Ms Obasa and her two children staying at a women's refuge in Banbury.

Jewins Women2Women provides coaching, counselling, advocacy and cultural support to women in the UK – and is now extending its offering to include training for other organisations.

During her time leading the charity, Ms Obasa found that many UK services lack the knowledge required to fully support women from different ethnic and faith backgrounds.

She said: "A few years ago the police contacted us and said they were struggling with ethnic minority women [suffering abuse].

"When they call them for help, they remove the abuser. But they don't understand why the women don't make a statement.

"The reason they don't make a statement or follow through the process has to do with culture and faith."

The training will be officially launched during an event at the Saïd Business School in Oxford on Saturday.

One in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, according to charity Refuge.

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