Abusive dad ‘tricked family into eating stew made from beloved pet rabbit’
Mum tells of domestic violence nightmare for International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
A WOMAN has spoken out on her own experiences with abuse in a bid to raise awareness of violence against women.
The mum, who asked to remain anonymous, revealed how her husband psychologically abused her by tricking her and her innocent children into eating their beloved pet rabbit for dinner.
Speaking as part of a campaign to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Friday, she relived the nightmare meal.
The unnamed woman said her partner, who she is now divorcing, cooked a homemade meal for the family.
Coming in from the park to eat, the family sat down at the dinner table to enjoy the meal.
It was only when they finished that the father turned to his son and revealed he'd just eaten his pet rabbit.
The mum and her kids were so appalled by the news they spent the rest of the evening vomiting.
She explained the nightmare meal was far from an isolated incident — her husband regularly abused her mentally, physically and verbally throughout the course of their 15-year marriage.
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In a heartbreaking admission, she said she felt she was unable to leave the relationship because of the children the pair share together.
Speaking at the launch of a two-week campaign to raise awareness about violence against women, she told the: "I’ve always been a strong lady, and I don’t like to give up, when you have kids you can’t give up.”
At times, the woman's husband abused her so badly she was left on the floor, unable to move.
She said: "Although I was getting beaten by him, I didn’t realise how much it was affecting those around me."
The unnamed mum said she "couldn't see it at the time".
According to figures compiled by the United Nations, one in nine women in the UK annually suffer from domestic violence, and two lose their lives every week.
Globally, one in three women experience physical or sexual violence — the majority of which is perpetrated by their partner.
November 25 has been marked by women's rights activists around the world since 1981.
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