Confronting Abuse with Sharon Gaffka

Anna's guest this week is Sharon Gaffka, former Love Island contestant turned political campaigner and ambassador for the domestic violence charity Refuge. As she shares with Anna, Sharon's journey has been remarkable; from teenage beauty pageant queen to civil servant, then reality TV star to aspiring politician – but it's not been without its challenges. Sharon talks frankly about the horrifying racist and misogynistic abuse she's experienced online, how her personal experience of getting spiked had a huge impact on her life, and how she wants to change the world so that young people no longer have to deal with these things. Experiencing any form of abuse or harassment can be extremely isolating, but Sharon wants other survivors to understand that they're not alone.

Sharon is an ambassador for the charity Refuge, who support thousands of survivors every day, and runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you've experienced any of the issues in this episode and need support, the number is 0808 2000 247. You can also visit their website nationalDAhelpline.org.uk to use live chat or request a safe time to be contacted. You can find all this information in the podcast show notes too. You’re not alone, and there is help out there for you. You can find other useful resources and support here: https://audioalways.lnk.to/ItcantjustbemeIG.

Every Friday Anna, alongside a panel of experts, will be addressing YOUR dilemmas in our brand new episodes It’s Not Just You. If you have a dilemma or situation you'd like discussed, reach out to Anna by emailing [e-mail] or DM her on Instagram @itcantjustbemepod

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