Join us as Abi Thomas meets amazing women who have all been through the Own My Life Course, 12 sessions which enable women who have been subjected to abuse to regain ownership of their lives.

Be aware that you will hear painful stories of many types of abuse during these episodes. But you will also hear a lot of joy - and we make no apology for that!

Today we meet the wonderful Viran and Helen. Viran Wiltshire is a Detective Sergeant with 25 years of experience in the Metropolitan Police, specialising in public protection and domestic abuse policy development. She is credited for creating a standalone domestic abuse policy for staff and officers for the whole Met Police, establishing support mechanisms like a force-wide Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA), and co-leading the HEAL DA initiative for system-wide police support for those subjected to abuse. Viran is dedicated to empowering colleagues who have been abused, improving organisational culture, and has been recognised with the King’s medal for her efforts.

Helen is a magnificent woman and a serving officer at the Metropolitan Police. She is a participant and advocate for Own My Life, which she credits with enabling her to move forward with her life after she was abused by her partner. She particularly speaks to the ways Own My Life contributed to improved health and well-being. Helen acts as an ambassador, referring other police staff to the course. She emphasises the power of support networks and the Own My Life sisterhood and values the positive shifts in culture and empathy that the course inspires within the police force.

More information about Own My Life:

1. Our training HERE
2. Find a course HERE
3. Evaluations HERE
4. Own My Life Discovery HERE

Further Reading and Resources:

1. Employers Initiative on Domestic Abuse HERE
2. Met Police blog HERE

You may realise as you listen that you, or someone you know, needs help or support to get safe. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is on 0808 2000 247. If you have concerns that a man is behaving in an unsafe way to a partner you can contact the Respect Perpetrator Phoneline on 0800 802 4040.

The Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline is 0808 500 2222. Rape Crisis Scotland is 08088 010302 and Rape Crisis Northern Ireland is 0800 0246 991.

Music: Untamed (Instrumental Version) used with permission and our thanks to Ludlów.