Nisha Keaton a teenage singer from London, once a victim of domestic violence herself, has joined up with Women’s Aid to take a stand against domestic violence and to help raise awareness for the problem and acknowledgement that there is a problem. Nisha was nice enough to gather together some online editors for an online press junket. We were among those asked to attend and I hope I can get through to everyone how important this cause is and the need to act.

When asked, “What made you want to get into Women's Aid? Did you know someone who was effected by it or was it just one of those things you felt drawn to?” She told us of her past, “I was affected by it when I was a lot younger. As I got older I was able to deal with it more and it made me not only want to help but actually do something about it.” At what age did this take place? What do you mean when you say you were able to deal with it? “It was from the age of birth until I was 1 and half about. it was there....something that had happened in my life...until a few years ago when I started writing. I still felt guilty not sure why but I did. When I started writing I could get it out. What I felt and thought about him and the things he had done. Still until this very day, today I write about...it just helps.” “Him" being your dad? Do you still live with him? “Yes, I mean my dad. I don't live with him, my mum left when I was about 1 and a half. He hasn't been in my life since and I don't need him there. I know that sounds bitter but it's the truth”. Did it bring u and your mom closer together? “Yes it definitely brought us closer! “Is there anything you'd like to say to people who are just hearing about this? “I don't know guess if it's you that it's happening to I'd say, to know that it's not your fault, to try and be strong, don't give up and get help! There are people like Women’s Aid who will help you! For people that are just hearing about the campaign.....um...when you see the campaign make sure you take notice of it! Don’t just ignore it!” What can people do to help? “TO HELP YOU CAN DISPLAY THE CAMPAIGN ON YOUR WEBSITE. I was just talking with a few kid's this morning and they didn't know about some of the facts, it's shocking...for me....that it's still hidden and people don't like to talk about it.” Where are you focusing for exposure? Internet, magazines, radio, TV?

At the minute I'm really working for internet...you can reach people that you can't. You can go worldwide, like right now and talk to people the fans. I think my next step is going to be magazines but I'm not sure at the minute.....live performances will always be a good start. lol. I love the whole internet/internet magazine thing at the minute though....that's my hook for now. Unfortunately everything Nisha said is not exclusive to her situation. Guilt, loyalty to the mother, wanting to help. Are all common in domestic violence cases, as are a lot of worse things, unfortunately. ( For statistics that made the most impact on me see the bottom of this page. For more go to: http://www.womensaid.org.uk/dv/dvfactsh1.htm or for statistics on violence against children: http://www.womensaid.org.uk/dv/dvfactsh3.htm )

Statistics Involving Women
· Domestic violence accounts for almost a quarter (23%) of all violent crime. The British Crime Survey: England and Wales. London: Home Office, 2000.
· In 1999 37% of women homicide victims were killed by present or former partners, compared to 6% of men. This totals 92 women, - 1 every 3 days, or 2 women per week. Criminal Statistics England & Wales 1999. London: Home Office, 1999.
· It is estimated that one in four women will experience domestic violence at some time in their lives. Domestic Violence: a Health Care Issue. London: BMA, 1998.
· 1 in 5 young men and 1 in 10 young women think that abuse or violence against women is acceptable. Zero Tolerance Charitable Trust. 1998.
· On average a woman will be assaulted by her partner or ex partner 35 times before reporting it to the police. Yearnshire, S. 'Analysis of cohort', IN Bewley S, Friend J and Mezey G (Eds). Violence Against Women. London: RCOG, 1997.
· Domestic violence is the least likely violent crime to be reported to the police. The British Crime Survey 2000 found that just under 1/3 of incidents were reported. British Crime Survey England and Wales 2000. London: Home Office, 2000.
· Every minute in the UK, the police receive a call from the public for assistance for domestic violence. This leads to police receiving an estimated 1,300 calls each day or over 570,000 each year. Professor Stanko, E. 'The Day to Count: A Snapshot of the Impact of Domestic Violence in the UK'. Criminal Justice 1:2, 2000.
· Over 35,000 women called the Women's Aid National Domestic Violence Helpline this year (2000). Women's Aid Federation of England, 2001.
· In a study by Shelter, 40% of all homeless women stated that domestic violence was a contributor to their homelessness. Domestic violence was found to be "the single most quoted reason for becoming homeless" (Shelter, 2002).
· "Routes to Safety" found that 60% of the women in the study left the abuser because they feared that they would be killed if they stayed. A further 54% of women left the abuser because they said that they could see that the abuse was affecting their children. "In fact, 25% of the women said that they feared for their children's lives". (Humphreys & Thiara, 2002).

Statistics Involving Children
· 76% of children who were ordered by the courts to have contact with a violent parent were said to have been further abused as a result of contact being set up. (Unreasonable Fears, Dr Lorraine Radford, Sarah Sayer and AMICA, 1999)
· Other studies reviewed by Hughes et al (1989) have found child abuse and woman abuse occurring together in 40-60% of cases.
· Children of all ages phone the police for assistance and a number of research studies suggest that women often attribute their eventual escape to the emotional and practical support provided by their children (Hoff, 1990).
· Children sometimes feel guilty if they do not come to the aid of their mother. This 'guilt' is often accompanied by self blame and feelings that they have in some way 'caused' their father to be violent (Saunders, 1995).
· Children of battered women will not necessarily grow up to be batterers or victims of domestic violence themselves. No conclusive evidence exists to support the 'intergenerational transmission of violence' thesis or to show that there is a 'cycle of violence' (Mullender & Morley, 1994).