I’m going to keep this short & sweet today, purely because I don’t think the following site needs much of an introduction, because it does it all by itself. Violence UnSilenced, in it’s own words, “sheds light on the epidemic of domestic violence and sexual assault by giving its survivors a voice” and it does it it a veryinspirational way. I was introduced to this site through Nilsa, who also felt the need to mention it in one of her blog posts and I completely understand why.
The site recently celebrated its first anniversary with a great video featuring some of the people they have helped, and who have spoken out about their experiences. Now although it is only a handful of people who have been abused (1 in 4 women in their lifetime, and many men) it’s a start. And their site is so jam-packed with stories and inspiration that it’s hard not to feel something for these people. From the personal stories written by victims themselves, to pieces of advice on how to deal with abuse it’s just an inspirational site. My favourite part, which is completely genius, is the little graphics scattered in the sidebar that link to Google allowing for a quick escape in case someone walks in on you – so simple, yet so thoughtful.
So readers, spare 5 minutes of your time to watch this video – if you have longer have a wander around the site, and add it to your reader. People need to realise that it is, as they say, an epidemic and we must fight the monsters that inflict this pain on people all the way to prison… or hell. Whichever you choose. 
[courtesy of weheartit]
Today I read a post at Monkey With Glasses and it caught my eye, as many do. She said, “If your life is a swimming pool, who gets access to the deep end and who has to stay on the deck? We can’t always choose the people in our life, but how much they influence us is totally our decision.” And it got me thinking? Who would I invite to come out of the shallow end and step into the deep end, and into my life? Who would I throw out? And who would stay right where they are? So, I’m going to tell you but I’m going to keep it anonymous (well, as much as I possibly can) and let you know who should stay and who should go!
I want you in the deep end – I don’t even know if you’re in the shallow end yet, or if your toes are even dipping in the water but I want you there. It’s going to take a lot of my time and effort to even get you in your costume/trunks (anonymous remember!) but I’m determined as hell to make it happen. As are most of my friends, and without them I wouldn’t even know you. Just take that small leap of faith because I’m more than ready to 
Sometimes I want you here, sometimes I don’t. Your constant complaining grates on me to the point where I want to slap you with a wet fish, and other times you make me laugh until my bladder is crying for mercy. But I can’t have it both ways. So I choose to have you in the deep end with me – you’ve got to take the good with the bad, and I’m willing to do that for the sake of our friendship.
I want you to step out onto the deck, and get off my property. You get in touch to go out, I say I’m busy. I get in touch with you, and you don’t even have the decency to reply. Well I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough. I don’t want to see you, and my life would be pretty much the same without you – let’s face it, we just don’t have fun anymore.
And you can stay in my pool as long as you like I love you to pieces and I want to see you succeed in all that you do. You’re incredibly brave, endearing, and bold but I just wish I saw you more. You’re at that age where life is throwing things at you from all angles and things are tough, but you know I’ll always be there to help out. I just can’t wait until you realise what you want to do with your life because you deserve everything and more
So how about your swimming pool – who stays and who goes?
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