Relationship abuse can take many different forms. It involves more than physical violence. It can be when someone puts you down and makes you feel worthless and useless, telling you that you are mad or ill or making false allegations and accusations.

Healthy relationships can be the most meaningful part of our lives and can help us to thrive and enjoy the good times as well as seeing us through the bad ones too, holding us like a safety net when we are at risk of falling. However, when problems develop in a relationship, especially when domestic abuse occurs, it can be the cause of great distress and can have a significant impact on mental health and wellbeing.

Relationship abuse can take many different forms. It involves more than physical violence. It can be when someone puts you down and makes you feel worthless and useless, telling you that you are mad or ill or making false allegations and accusations.

According to the Women’s Aid organisation, in the UK, domestic abuse affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime. An abusive or unhealthy relationship often leads to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression which can result in poor physical health and reduced productivity at work as well as loss of employment. This is why it is critical to seek help when problems arise.

The Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) ensures that those who are going through a relationship breakdown are getting the support they need to overcome overwhelming situations by offering vital support services through its Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). The support services that EIC offers those who are faced with life crisis include legal advice, telephone counselling and support as well as financial assistance and grant which can give people within the electrical sector an opportunity to rebuild their lives.

One recent example that highlights how support from EIC and the industry can help is Sophia Taylor. Sophia suffered from an abusive relationship which led to the deterioration of her mental health. Sophia’s employer got in touch with EIC in January 2018, after ill health forced her to take time off from work.

Sophia, who is a mother of two children aged 11 and 9, has suffered from anxiety and depression and in 2016 was diagnosed with a suspected Borderline Personality Disorder along with severe depression and anxiety. She was in an unhealthy, controlling relationship with her partner who used financial abuse to control her. This was the primary reason for the deterioration of her mental health.

EIC arranged relationship counselling for Sophia and her partner. However, her partner refused to attend counselling sessions. Therapy was then sort for Sophia to work through the emotional controlling behaviour of her partner.

After 4 month off work and 5 failed ‘return to works’, the Charity arranged a specialist mental health Occupational Therapist to assist with Sophia’s sustainable return to work programme, working along-side her therapist and other practitioners to ensure a successful return to work.

After starting her one on one relationship therapy, Sophia realised that she was in a controlling, abusive and mentally coercive relationship and decided to report the abusive behaviour to the police and take legal action against her now former partner.

EIC assisted Sophia every step of the way with the legal action and lengthy court proceedings. Since the legal proceedings took place, her ex-partner has moved out of the house and they are working through the division of finances while trying to maintain a civil relationship for the wellbeing of their children.

Over the months Sophia has remained committed to her therapy and thanks to support from EIC, mental health is no longer an issue for Sophia. She is now back at work full time and is looking forward to a better future.

Leaving an abusive relationship can be emotionally overwhelming and daunting. Support from the industry can make a huge difference in helping others at the darkest of times. So, if you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please contact the EIC support team: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0800 652 1618.

For further information, please contact Jess Vailima: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.