1:3 women, 1:5 children and 1:6 men in every nation around the world will be directly affected by domestic abuse. Its effect damages not just the victim, but the wider family, and the impact lasts a lifetime, often being passed on down the generations.

But we can do something to stop that cycle. As communities we can highlight the issues and take a stand to say abuse is never acceptable. In particular, we can help highlight the insidious pattern of coercive control.

The strength of feeling and the importance of this hidden issue is demonstrated by the fact that your signature is one of almost 10,000 signatures on this petition to obtain a domestic abuse law and appropriate sentencing on the Isle of Man.

Sadly, our Island is lagging behind other Nations - although we are now close to having a domestic abuse law, we still lack a lot of the services that would be found in the UK and elsewhere, and still are blighted by a lack of understanding. But it doesn’t need to be like this – the Isle of Man is small enough that it could easily become a beacon of excellence in its approach to abuse and coercive control.

To help obtain change here, you have already signed our petition and we are so grateful to all of you. Would you consider going a small step further and helping back the Losing Grace film project? As little as £1 pledge could make a difference! We hope this film could be an impetus for change not just on the Isle of Man, but through being screened at venues worldwide, it could also help improve attitudes and understanding worldwide.

Losing Grace depicts gas-lighting and coercive control – subjects that are much harder to understand than physical abuse, but that do even deeper damage. It is told through the eyes of a child – the impact of domestic abuse on children is often misunderstood and under-estimated. The film will open peoples’ eyes and promote thought, which will trigger questions and so deepen understanding and hopefully lead to change.

Liz, Athena and their team believe passionately in this film and bring all that to passion, enthusiasm and creativity to the project. I and other domestic abuse survivors/campaigners believe not just that the film should be made, but that it needs to be made.

We really need you to believe in it too, and to help get this important message into the light. 

Please help if you can.

Thank you - and thanks again for signing. Your support is very much appreciated.