When I was asked if I wanted to get involved in campaigning around domestic abuse with GMB, I was a little hesitant initially due to the fact that at the time I was so vulnerable. After sleeping on it, I knew it was something I had to do to support other people going through what I went through. I had to let survivors know that there was light at the end of the tunnel, but more importantly to instil confidence that they could overcome this. I wanted to give survivors like me, a sense of hope.

The charter was created to ensure that workers experiencing domestic abuse don’t experience discrimination in the workplace or worse, job losses. The charter commits  employers to training all managers to be able to give practical support and signposting to workers experiencing domestic abuse, sensitively and appropriately.

When I was invited to speak at Parliament to aid lobbying the campaign, on the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls - it was such a surreal moment. I remember plodding through security and going down an escalator to a completely different world. A world of politicians where decisions about our country are made. It gave me this surge of energy, to ensure that my purpose here, to fight for survivors like me by making the charter a success, was signed sealed and delivered.

A year ago today, myself and Other GMB activist survivors shared our truth, that we were survivors of Domestic Abuse and how much the charter meant to us, what a real difference it could have made to our lives at the time of our struggle.

Unfortunately, only a limited number of MP's attended because Theresa May had decided to call another meeting to discuss the gruelling issue of Brexit.

Nonetheless we proceeded and before we could finish, MP's were signing the charter. MPs Stephanie Peacock, who chaired the meeting, and Harriet Harman were extremely supportive and told us what a difference hearing GMB activists experiences had made to their understanding of the issue. They took the charter to the Speaker the very next day. Within 48 hours over 50 MP's had signed the Charter as employers, which was such an amazing feeling.