Raised in the Shadow of Violence

EXCLUSIVELY FOR WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY

For years, conversations around childhood trauma have rightly focused on CSA awareness, but there’s another form of abuse that often goes unseen: children witnessing domestic violence inside their own homes.

In this video, Luke shares the impact of growing up in an environment shaped by fear, violence, and silence. As a neurodivergent child, he witnessed his mother being beaten by his birth father behind closed doors while the outside world saw nothing unusual. To neighbours, friends, and even professionals, his father appeared calm, respectable, and unsuspecting.

Luke also speaks about the deep sense of betrayal he felt from local services that failed to protect his family when help was needed most. The abuse may not have always been directed at him physically, but witnessing it left lasting psychological scars that followed him into adulthood.

For decades, Luke buried what he had seen. The anxiety, emotional struggles, and mental health difficulties stayed with him throughout his life, but he never fully spoke about the trauma, until his mid-30s, when he finally began therapy. His therapist became the first person he had ever told the full truth to.

This story is a reminder that children do not have to be physically assaulted to be deeply harmed by abuse. Witnessing domestic violence can shape a child’s nervous system, self-worth, relationships, and mental health for years to come.

If this video resonates with you, or if you grew up around domestic abuse, know that your experiences matter and deserve to be acknowledged.

To contact Luke: http://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-appleyard-140284293

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This podcast provides a platform for contributors to share their own lived experiences. Unless expressly stated otherwise, Something to Say has not independently verified the factual accuracy of statements made by contributors and does not endorse or adopt any allegations, assertions, opinions or conclusions expressed in this recording.

This podcast provides a platform for contributors to share their own lived experiences. Unless expressly stated otherwise, Something to Say has not independently verified the factual accuracy of statements made by contributors and does not endorse or adopt any allegations, assertions, opinions or conclusions expressed in this podcast.

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