Blog Post

My Thoughts on "The Abused" on Channel 5

Sarah Pitt • 22 February 2019

It's not often I put my life out on social media BUT wow what a hard hitting documentary showing the reality of living with DA ( Domestic Abuse ) and how hard it is to escape DA. This programme has certainly struck a chord with me and took me back to a very vulnerable & dark time in my life.


Victims are at their most vulnerable once they have left the relationship & trying to rebuild some sort of normal life whilst still being constantly hounded, threatened, isolated or victimised by the perpetrator. Unless you have experienced DA you will never understand that it’s easier to stick with what you know rather than go out into the unknown alone.

it’s a positive to see that there is so much more support and aftercare for victims than when I had to fight my way out of a 9 year relationship in 2008 that was physical, verbal , coercive,controlling & financially abusive that left me emotionally and physically broken with 2 young babies.

They say on average there are 35 assaults before a victim calls the police, I had 20 incident reports from the police to add to court papers to gain a residency & non molestation order to protect us - just think how many incidents I didn’t reported to the police or any other organisation? 🤔

I wasn’t taken seriously at times and certain organisations were saying there wasn’t a lot they could do for me or what help was offered was very limited.

It very much felt like “you made your choice now you have to live with it”. I honestly believe if I hadn’t had fought as hard as I did I wouldn’t be here today.

Today most of the remaining scars are the hidden ones which I don’t think will ever leave me. I don’t have much in the way of materialistic items or cash to flash but what I do have is my 2 beautiful children , my husband who genuinely loves me for me and a few true friends some who I sadly don’t get to see enough, I have a job and my own money. I’m actually living a life I could never ever have imagined & to me that is everything.

If someone is suffering please please go and get help it’s so much better on the other side.

You can watch Channel 5 catch-up here if you missed it: https://www.channel5.com/show/the-abused/

#clareslaw #domesticabuse #survivor #livingmybestlife #dontjudgeabookbyitscover #hiddenscars

A short bio about Sarah Pitt:

Sarah Pitt is a Community Safety Officer - Education and Training.

My first job which was the stepping stone to my career today after leaving my DA relationship was volunteering once a week at V4Y. I met my ex when I was 16 and was very influenced and impressionable. Having experienced many other issues as well as abuse within my relationship I wanted to “give something back” to support or mentor young people so they hopefully never have to experience what I did. Volunteering led to me gaining my level 2 in youth work and into employment as Community Development, once this funded role ceased the opportunity came to develop my youth work further and my role changed to full time Education and Training covering a variety of PSHE topics to schools such as Body Image, Self Esteem, ASB, Drugs, Alcohol, Cyber Safety ,RSE, LGBT, bullying, Knife Crime and any emerging trends with the view that early intervention and awareness may prevent some young people from participating in certain issues.
I am a safeguarding lead across Rushmoor and Hart. I also offer training/awareness to staff and parent on current issues with young people.
Currently partnership working with local councillor and Community Development on building a youth forum which hopefully will expand into Hart.

I have worked with several young people on a1:1 basis whilst they are on a waiting list to access the correct support/organisation rather than leaving them in no-man's land.
I was the lead on a managing challenging behaviours programme where young people on the cusp of the Criminal Justice System would be referred to me and we would go on a journey looking at their current behaviours, what paths this could potentially lead them down and how and what support can be put in place to prevent this from happening.

I still carry on my youth work in a paid and volunteering capacity and I am also in my first year at University studying for my Personal Certificate in Education (PGCE).

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