As someone who has endured domestic abuse myself, I am now trying to raise £10,000 to help a local family who has been in the same situation to get the help they need.The mother has been on the receiving end of rape, physical abuse in front of her children, mental and emotional abuse, financial abuse and social abuse, leaving her very much at a distance from her support system.The children have also been subject to abuse and manipulation. Unfortunately the court process was manipulated by the perpetrator resulting in vital evidence being witheld and professional statements not being submitted. The authorities, as is often the case, were taken in by this person's charm, and despite numerous child protection referrals being made by various other professionals, the authorities ignored them and failed to investigate, partly to cover up their own failings.They also put the mother further at risk by divulging her address to the perpetrator despite it having been kept confidential throughout the court process.This, along with the fact that one of the children's allegations of physical abuse were also ignored, has put these children at further risk of harm and neglect. The family's anonymity is being maintained for their safety.

The mother and one of the children have health issues, which are being exacerbated by the stress of this continued abuse,and therapy and medication has been witheld from the child.

The Legal Aid agency previously covered the court proceedings on the grounds of domestic abuse, but now are refusing to do so as they say a decision was reached. There have been numerous court orders now which have not only been breached by the perpetrator, who continues his abuse of everyone involved,but also breached by the authorities. This has to be brought to the courts attention to ensure not only the enforcement of the court orders made, but also to ensure the health and safety of the children involved and their mother. However with the abuse having also ruined this family financially, the only chance of getting this case back to court is to pay privately.£10,000 is the estimate made by the solicitor.

There is a fundraising event happening on Saturday 4th august in the Albion pub in Ashford, Kent, where artwork will be sold to also try to raise the much needed funds.If you are in the area please come along and support this campaign, or you can donate here even if it doesn't seem like much it will go a long way to helping this family.