25/11/2023
25 November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This marks the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. These annual international campaigns aim to bring together individuals and organisations around the world to tackle violence against women and girls.
During these 16 days i will be running 5km every day and each run will be dedicated to a woman who's lost her life as a result of domestic violence. I aim to raise of both homicide and su***de caused by domestic violence.
Today i ran 5km for Roisin and her story and photo is below. II'm also holding a shoe exhibition at the The Gregson Centre that will be displayed from today for the 16 days of activism. If you'd like to donate here is the justgiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/anna-hopkins-1700484990552
Roisin, our beautiful and much loved only child, was just 19 years old when she took her life.
Irish for ‘Rose’, Roisin’s name was chosen when we first set eyes on her bright red hair and lily white Irish skin. Roisin was intelligent, loving, bubbly, thoughtful and social. She was a feisty and fun red head, with a cheeky personality and a beaming smile. There was not an ounce of malice in Roisin – she was such a kind soul and was a joy to be around. With her upward or downward turned mouth, what you saw was what you got. Wherever she went and whatever she turned her hand to, Roisin was noticed and remembered.
Roisin’s school life was happy and successful. She excelled at sports, playing netball and running cross country for the county, and cycling with her school from our home town to Paris. Roisin enjoyed drama and dancing, and had the voice of an angel with a phenomenal memory for song lyrics.
After leaving school, Roisin worked at a local opticians. She was popular amongst her colleagues, and despite her young age, was their staff representative. Roisin was the youngest student to study for her dispencing optician exams and her goal was to go to university to qualify as an optician.
Aged 17, Roisin entered into an abusive relationship. The abuse that Roisin experienced would take the form of threats, belittlement, manipulation, ‘gaslighting’ and fixated and aggressive behaviours. The relationship ended the month before her death, however, post-separation abuse from her ex-boyfriend continued and the harassment, insults and manipulation escalated. Following Roisin’s death, we have learned more about the extent of the abuse that Roisin faced.
We want Roisin’s story to raise awareness of domestic abuse and su***de, and coercive and controlling behaviour in young people. Some key issues we’d like to highlight are:
• Social media as a tool for domestic abuse within young people should not be underestimated.
• Face-to-face contact with victims of domestic abuse should always be a priority. Roisin had contact with a local domestic abuse service, however, only telephone support was available due to Covid.
• Professionals should be mindful of the unique barriers for young people in accessing support. Like many young people, Roisin did not like speaking on the phone, so support should be adapted.
• Professionals from an array of services should be trained to use the DASH risk assessment, be professionally curious, and know how to respond to disclosures of domestic abuse.
• Domestic abuse services should be tailored to young victims. Many must still rely on services that are designed for adults meaning that providers are not equipped, prepared or trained to respond to the needs and risks of the young person . This is of paramount importance considering that women aged 16-19 years are more likely to be a victim of domestic abuse than those aged 25 and over .
• Coercive and controlling behaviour can be torturous.
Roisin was our world and we miss her with every breath we take. Our hearts are truly broken. It was the honour of our lives to watch our daughter grow.
