Leila’s hope for safety and resilience

Leila fled from her violent and abusive husband. She had nowhere to go, and with no money, she was homeless.

Her husband had hurt her many times, but never let her see a doctor. She felt alone, controlled, and in constant pain. When Leila came toAberdeen Cyrenians violence and abuse service with only the clothes she was wearing, she was broken. 

She was quickly supported to see a doctor and find a safe place to stay. Leila wasn’t alone anymore. She had a safe space to talk, and was givenfood, toiletries, and clothes.

Leila wanted to talk about the trauma she had experienced, and look for employment. 

Once she settled into her new home, she was helped to explore her local area. She found a library where she could look for work, and a place of worship where she could practice her faith and connect with others.

Leila now feels safe to talk about her thoughts and feelings. She has realised that what she went through in her marriage was abuse, even though it had seemed “normal” at the time. Over time, Leila joined our women's group. There, she learned positive ways to cope and built a strong, supportive network.

“Support has helped me remain focussed and positive, I can now relax and enjoy the little things in life, and I feel more confident about making new friends. I’ve even found new hobbies which I love. I feel like I have a fresh start.”