source: WAITS Team

published: February 2025

Image Credit: Hassan Ouajbir at www.Pexels.com

“Before I moved into WAITS refuge, I felt overwhelmed and clueless because no one had ever explained what a refuge was. I hadn’t heard of it before.”

From saying this, to speaking in front of a mass audience at a Domestic Abuse conference. This is the story of our next #WAITSWomanOfTheMonth, Fabulous Francis.

(Names for case studies are changed for confidentiality purposes)

At the start of her journey, Francis had felt all alone. As a British Muslim woman in an abusive marriage for 12 years, she found it difficult to leave the only life she had ever known. But she did. She escaped her abuser and was going to be on her own for the first time. With the guidance of her support worker, she was able to start her new life in WAITS Refuge.

Our workshops helped her believe in herself again. Fabulous Francis made new friends, regained her self-confidence and fought for change. She joined the SEEKERS Board, a change-makers group of domestic abuse survivors, and spoke publicly about her struggles to raise awareness.

Her next goal was to divorce her abuser, but that proved to be quite complex as she had no access to legal aid. “I felt like I was being punished again for wanting my freedom and to rebuild my life,” she explained. Fortunately, Francis and her support worker persevered and won a divorce settlement which helped her get her own house.

“I will be entering my own home using the front door key, without being fearful of what argument may happen when the door closes behind me. That is not something to take for granted anymore.”

Now Fabulous Francis looks forward to advocating for change for Domestic Abuse survivors. She said, “I will continue working with WAITS through my role in the SEEKERS Board. I want to give other victims of domestic abuse hope, courage and inspire them.”

Francis is more than just a lady who has been through Domestic Abuse. She looked for the light at the end of the tunnel without knowing that she was going to light up the path for so many others.