Olivia bravely opens up about past domestic abuse with ex in emotional campaign
Olivia Attwood bravely opened up about domestic abuse she has experienced in some of her past relationships on Tuesday's Loose Women.
The panellist, 32, has joined her co-stars Brenda Edwards, Charlene White, Denise Welch, Frankie Bridge, Judi Love, Kelle Bryan and Sunetra Sarker in a new powerful domestic abuse awareness campaign, Facing It Together.
Facing It Together aims to raise awareness around the important issue, whether you are a survivor or a friend. Denise, 65, Olivia, Kelle, 48, and Brenda, 55, have all personally experienced domestic abuse in the past. The foursome bravely opened up about their experiences with domestic abuse to raise awareness as they were supported by their fellow panellists in the emotive photoshoot and film, which was guided by Women's Aid and SafeLives.
Olivia Attwood bravely opened up about domestic abuse she has experienced in some of her past relationships on Tuesday's Loose Women (ITV)In the emotional film, which was aired on Tuesday's Loose Women, Olivia said: "I wanted to be part of the Loose Women Facing It Together campaign because I want people to know the Olivia you see on the panel - the confident version of myself - I wasn't always like this…"
The reality star-turned-documentary maker continued: "It would probably surprise a lot of people - as I've never spoken about it publicly - but in some of my past relationships I have suffered domestic abuse. And I think by being transparent, it might help someone else in a similar situation. When I look back over past relationships, there has been issues that have shown themselves in different forms - from coercive control to intimidation. For a lot of people, it'll be hard to imagine me editing myself because I felt like I was annoying or I was too much. I very quickly became conditioned that the things I was experiencing were normal or if not normal, that they were my fault. They’ll always find a way for you to doubt yourself and they almost become artistic in placing those seeds of doubt and you start to believe it. If you hear something enough it becomes the truth."
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Olivia added: "Something I read almost daily on my DMs from young women is 'how did you become so confident?' but what I want to convey is that didn’t happen overnight. We’re seen as these women on television doing amazing things but, equally, it can happen to people like us."
Loose Women has launched a powerful domestic abuse awareness campaign, Facing It Together (ITV)After the emotional film aired, Tuesday's panellists Charlene White, Sophie Morgan, Janet Street-Porter, Brenda and Kelle discussed the important of the campaign.
Providing advice, Brenda said: "To start with, if the person you think is being abused, you’ve got to start with believing them and letting them know that you believe them so that they can express their feelings in a safe space. Listen and try to understand them.
"Remind them that what is happening is not their fault. Don’t try to control their actions because if they are being abused, that is what the abuser in turn actually does. Reassure them that support is always available to them through Women’s Aid, SafeLives and Refuge. They can all help and call the free National Domestic Abuse helpline."
While Charlene added: "It isn’t just women who are survivors or are currently going through domestic abuse. If you are a man and you are currently living in a domestic abuse situation or you are a survivor, Respect’s mensadviceline.org.uk is available for anyone concerned about a loved one."
Later this week on Thursday, Women’s Aid ambassador Mel B will be live on the Loose Women panel to continue the conversation. Taking to Twitter, now X, viewers praised the panellists for being brave. One person said: "Congratulations, ladies, on the amazing work you all continue to do to raise awareness for these important issues. #facingittogether" while another added: "Excellent campaign, sincerely hope it will encourage anyone at risk of domestic abuse and survivors to seek support."
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