Kentish Express Ashford & District
Youngsters gear up to help domestic abuse victims
A group of youngsters used pedal power to raise awareness and money for a domestic abuse charity.
The teenagers were taking part in the National Citizenship Service scheme organised by CXK in Ashford, and completed a sponsored cycle spin class at the Stour Centre on Monday.
They decided to collect money for the charity Rising Sun in Canterbury and want to break down the barriers of the taboo subject.
CXK team leader Martin Sebbage said: “One of the girls in the group has a friend who unfortunately went through quite a few years of domestic abuse by her father, and it struck a chord with the group.
“They did more research and realised that they found the right charity to raise awareness.
“They did very well to get posters up and to put on the event at the Stour Centre.”
In their statement, the youngsters wrote: “Before she had realised that she was a victim of domestic abuse, she believed that all the aggression and violence she was experiencing at home was normal.
“It wasn’t until she attended a school assembly on the topic of domestic abuse she realised her whole life was written on the screen in front of her.
“There were posters placed in bathrooms and across the school pointing out the signs of domestic abuse, including physical and emotional abuse, and she could tick off every single sign.”
Their friend felt stranded and suffocated as she was unable to protect her mother and younger sister.
Her father was removed from the home, and she said she no longer felt like a prisoner in her own home and could “breathe freely”, but still has paranoia about seeing him in public.
But she has issued a message to other young victims of domestic violence and abuse.
She said: “Things do get better. It takes time but there are lots of organisations to help you.
“Dealing with it on your own is not the right way, you need support. You don’t have to suffer alone.”
Ashford Borough Council officer Sarah Rigby also attended the event and Jacqui Snare from Rising Sun, who co-ordinate the effort to support domestic violence victims in Ashford.
For more information about the charity visit www.risingsunkent. com.