Abuse: speaking out so that others know they are not alone

By Jayne Warren - 02/05/2007

Jenny Tomlin, bestselling author of "Behind Closed Doors" and "Silent Sisters", has written a deeply moving collection of true stories of abuse and survival called "Not Alone".

 

This new book is also the final chapter in Jenny's own story, who survived horrendous abuse at the hands of both her father and husband, and now campaigns on behalf of
fellow victims for charities such as Barnados and Refuge.

 

In less experienced hands, the personal accounts included in "Not Alone" would be traumatic reading, but the author's insight, obvious support and encouragement of those whose stories she tells make this book inspiring and insightful.

 

From victims of rape, child abuse and domestic violence to gay rapes and arranged marriages, "Not Alone" relates humble tales of resilience, shocking stories of injustice and inspiring accounts of courage. And throughout the whole book Jenny reveals how the strength of the human spirit has enabled each victim to escape the cycle of abuse and embrace a better future.

 

Jenny's daughter, award-winning actress Martine McCutcheon, 31, said: "Jenny Tomlin is an inspiration and I am honoured to call her my mum." Just how much that really means becomes clear when readers understand how hard Jenny fought for her daughter's safety. McCutcheon endured a turbulent early childhood at the hands of her abusive and irrational drug-addict father. Her earliest memory is of him dangling her over a balcony by her ankles, 30ft up in the air, threatening to drop her unless Jenny did what he wanted.

 

Despite her father leaving when McCutcheon was two years old, he would return periodically to threaten her mother, so her early years were spent running and hiding in order to escape him. When McCutcheon was nine, her mother finally won sole custody and an injunction was made against her father seeing her until she was 18.

 

"Not Alone" is an eclectic collection of stories, and includes a moving tale of one man's abuse at the hands of his wife, abuse by those in authority (grandparents, parents and priests), the kidnapping of an Asian woman by her family because she refused to follow tradition, and one horrific attack by a stranger which remained unpunished because of a bizarre loophole in the law.

 

Each individual tale is related with such deep understanding by Jenny, that you feel almost as though you were in the same room, and the sheer bravery and will to survive is truly heroic. Sadly, our modern society is plagued with abuse of many forms, and many people never find the courage - or safety - to ever tell anyone else what they have experienced. Such people continue to live lives of quiet despair and
fear, feeling trapped and powerless. "Not Alone" may just provide the inspiration to speak out and break free.

 

Jenny Tomlin is now happily married and living in France with her husband Alan and sees her most fulfilling role in life as being mother to her children, LJ and Martine McCutcheon, giving them the stability and love she never received herself.

 

"Not Alone" is published by Hodder & Stoughton on 30th May 2007, price
£12.99.