Latest news with #EyeMovementDesensitisationandReprocessing
Observer
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
Why many abuse victims choose silence
I must admit that am not a big fan of Arabic drama but when I heard about the Egyptian series 'Lam shamsiya' I was curious to check it out. The 15-episode series centres around an 8-year-old boy called Yousif who is subjected to abuse from Wisam his teacher and father's best friend. We learn that Wisam is a respected university professor who is married and has a teenage daughter. When Yousif's stepmother discovers the abuse no one believes her and the abuse continues. We discover that Wisam uses the code 'our secret game' for his encounter with the boy and gives him a star for each time they 'play'. Yousef then finds out that other boys receive similar stars from Wisam which means they are victims too. The series explores the sensitive topic of abuse from a realistic point of view, showing the abuser as someone trusted by the child and how some children don't speak out. We also see the stepmother who was the whistleblower being called a lair because others were fooled by Wisam charismatic persona. Working as a psychiatrist, I came across a few victims and sometimes perpetrators of abuse and have witnessed the fear, guilt and confusion experienced by victims, and how sometimes families resolved to keep quiet about it which allows perpetrators to continue abusing others. In some occasions, victims of abuse become perpetrators which is known as 'the cycle of abuse'. The psychological impact of abuse on the victims and their families is devastating as most victims start distancing themselves from others, become withdrawn from school and experience sudden mood changes. In many occasions, the abuse causes long-lasting emotional scars that can affect the victim's development, self-image and relationships for a lifetime. People who read or hear about abuse often wonder why some victims remain silent. This can be because most abusers say manipulate the victim by saying 'This is our special secret' or 'No one will believe you'. In many cases, the child is too young to understand what is happening is actually abuse. Victims who are emotionally neglected can mistake attention for love, especially when it comes from a trusted person like a sibling, a parent or a teacher. So, how can we help victims of abuse? Psychological therapies such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing are reported to help victims regain a sense of safety, self-worth and control over their lives. However, such therapies take time and need to be delivered by an experienced therapist who is also compassionate. By shedding light on stories like Yousif's, society can begin to break the silence and stigma surrounding abuse. Protecting children is not just about reacting after the fact — it's about building environments of trust, awareness and courage, where children are heard, believed and protected.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Move over Inspector Morse: Oxford couple write city crime book
Following in the footsteps of Inspector Morse, an Oxford couple has written a new crime detective book in the city. Married pair Jake Lynch and Annabel McGoldrick have released Mind Over Murder, continuing the city's legacy as a crime fiction hotspot. The novel is set to be the first in the Janna Rose Mysteries series, introducing a new investigator to the crime fiction canon. Published by Next Chapter, Mind Over Murder is not just another whodunit—it's the first crime novel to feature a psychotherapist protagonist specialising in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). READ MORE: Taylor Swift to study music degree at Oxford University Jake Lynch and Annabel McGoldrick have written the book together. (Image: Supplied) This is a groundbreaking trauma therapy that gained widespread attention after Prince Harry credited it with helping him process the loss of his mother, Princess Diana. The novel follows journalist-turned-therapist Janna Rose, who is drawn into a dangerous conspiracy after the mysterious death of her ex-boyfriend, an activist leading an eco-protest against a controversial development. As Janna digs deeper, she uncovers a web of corruption that puts her loved ones in peril. With lives at stake, she must use her unique insight into the human mind to outwit a ruthless adversary and expose the truth. Jake and Annabel bring their own fascinating real-life experiences to the novel as both trained as journalists at the BBC and first met as regional reporters for ITV. READ MORE: Police update on arrested woman as firefighters cut into flipped car The new book's front cover. (Image: Supplied) Annabel later transitioned from journalism to psychotherapy and is now an accredited EMDR consultant, training clinicians worldwide. Jake, a seasoned journalist, has worked as a political correspondent for Sky News, Sydney correspondent for The Independent, and a news anchor for BBC World TV News. 'The idea for Mind Over Murder came from our relationship and shared passions," he said. "Janna's name is a blend of ours—Jake and Annabel—and her investigative instincts reflect our backgrounds in journalism and peace studies. "The novel explores contemporary issues of social justice, environmental activism, and the ways social media can be weaponised to manipulate public opinion.' READ MORE: Oxford University professor has work cited in UK Supreme Court Why wait for news? With Oxford Mail get real-time updates directly on our ad-free app 🗞️📱 Subscribe for unlimited access to our digital edition and enjoy 80 per cent fewer ads on our website. — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) April 1, 2025 The couple's commitment to these themes goes beyond fiction. They are pioneers of Peace Journalism and were jointly awarded the prestigious Luxembourg Peace Prize in 2017 by the Schengen Peace Foundation for their contributions to the field. Their path from journalism to crime fiction follows in the footsteps of literary greats like Charles Dickens and modern crime bestselling authors such as Michael Connelly (Los Angeles Times), Laura Lippman (Baltimore Sun), and Val McDermid (Daily Record). Other former journalists who have turned to crime writing include Jane Harper, Carl Hiaasen, Chris Hammer, Jeffery Deaver, and Jo Nesbø. Jake and Annabel split their time between Oxford and Sydney, where Jake is an Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Lifeline' neonatal service in the North East is saved by new funding
A neonatal unit hailed as a 'lifeline' in the North East has been saved by new vital funding after facing an uncertain future due to financial difficulties. Leo's Neonatal, the only dedicated neonatal trauma support service in the region, has received backing from law firm Slater and Gordon. The Teesside-based charity, which supports the mental health and wellbeing of families affected by neonatal trauma, had been at risk of reducing its services due to a drop in funding and donations. (Image: LEO'S NEONATAL CHARITY) Founded in 2018, Leo's provides therapies such as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), trauma-focused talking therapies, Flash and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). The charity has thousands of contacts with families across the North East each year and has seen increasing demand, with a 100 percent referral rate for mental health support from clinical staff. However, due to a drop in funding and donations, Leo's was forced to consider the future of some of its services – including its neonatal trauma support, which is the only dedicated service of its kind in the region, offering specialist lived experience mentoring and targeted trauma interventions. (Image: LEO'S NEONATAL CHARITY) Leo's founder and CEO, Lottie King, said losing the trauma support service would have been devastating for parents facing grief and trauma. Lottie established the charity in memory of her son, Leo, who died shortly after birth in 2015. His twin, Oska, was in the Special Care Baby Unit at North Tees Hospital for over 100 days after being born four days later. Now, law firm Slater and Gordon has partnered with Leo's – which received a Points of Light award from then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson for its life-changing impact – to deliver the funding to enable its specialist support for families in need to continue. Lottie said: 'Our neonatal trauma service has proved a lifeline to so many parents and it would have been absolutely devastating if we had to close. 'The need for specialist support for neonatal parents who have been impacted by grief and trauma is massive and increasing all the time, and it doesn't bear thinking about if we had to turn them away. "In addition to the huge pressure on NHS resources and long waiting lists for mental health support, there is no guarantee parents affected by neonatal trauma will be able to see a specialist – and at Leo's, our team know through their own lived experience how vital it is that specialist support is available." READ MORE: Fight for charity helping sick babies in North East UK's first Neonatal Mental Health Awareness Week launched by Leo's Baby's hearts to beat on forever with Leo's 'heartbeat bears' John Lowther, senior associate at Slater and Gordon in Newcastle, said: 'Leo's Neonatal has supported countless families across our region during some of their darkest days, and demand for their services is growing all the time. "This charity was born out of lived experience and has identified a range of areas in which specialist therapies, support and interventions can positively impact the lives of parents and children at times when they need it most. 'We are really delighted to partner with Lottie and her amazing team, and to be able to give our backing to the dedicated neonatal trauma support service, which we know plays such a critical role in the mental health of so many parents. "Knowing the impact of this service, and the growing demand Leo's faces to deliver it, its closure is unthinkable. We are so pleased we can help them to continue their life-changing work.'
