Clapham Chemical Attack - let's focus on what this was REALLY about!!

Firstly, my apologies for the gap in writing. I have been in hospital, but rest assured, whilst in there, I was making notes and thinking about all of you and when I could get back to writing. Thank you for your patience.

So, for those of you that live in the UK, you will have to have been living under a rock not to know about the recent domestic abuse incident that was reported on by national media and the like. For the avoidance of doubt, and for those of you not in the UK, here is the ‘story’.

Clapham chemical attack: Everything we know so far | UK News | Sky News

Except, yet again, it has never been said in the media that it was a domestic abuse incident. “The victim is known to the perpetrator”, “It is believed the victim was in a relationship with the perpetrator”, “The victim had fled to the address in Clapham”. I have read all these statements since the incident happened. Whilst it is true that the victim is still sedated and in a serious condition in hospital, so therefore, has not been able to tell the police the details of what happened, I think it is pretty obvious!

It really annoys me when these high profile cases are reported on. ‘The Clapham Chemical Attack’. This gives the message that someone is out there throwing chemicals in people’s faces and that the public need to be careful. This attack was only ever intended to be on this woman and her two children. The perpetrator, Abdul Ezedi, is not a danger to the public - just to her!

Ever since this incident the focus has been very firmly on him. Why? What about her?

When I was in hospital last week, I was watching ‘This Morning’ on the television and there was a segment where the presenters were talking to so called experts about the incident. One of the presenters posed the question “Will he attack again"? There was discussion around the use of chemicals but no mention of the aspects of control and power which ultimately is what a perpetrator needs and wants when he is deciding what his chosen ‘weapon’ will be. There was no mention at all of the victim or how she was. The whole segment was totally misleading and domestic abuse was not mentioned at all.

Much was said in the media about the fact that he had applied for asylum twice and been refused only to be given it a third time after claiming he had turned to Christianity. Also the fact that he had been convicted of sexual offences and still been given the right to remain in the UK. All of these things are important and worth discussion and debate but the main focus should not be about HIM!

This was a pre meditated attack. Abdul Ezedi travelled down from Newcastle to London and hunted his ex partner down. The choice of ‘weapon’ was a message to her - if he couldn’t have her , he would see to it that no one else would want her!. How terrifying for that woman and her children.

Now, the police say they think he is dead. Their working hypothesis is that he jumped or fell into the river Thames from Chelsea Bridge. No body has been found and the police say it may never be found. How convenient! Two other bodies have been found in the area that were not Abdul Ezedi and there identities are being investigated. So they have found two other bodies but not his? So, did these two people die in the river since Abdul Ezedi went in there? Because surely, if they were in there before, they would have also found his body? Or am I being totally naive?

My point is, they don’t know for sure he is dead. He may be, but if I were that woman, when I am brought out of sedation and told that he is more than likely dead but they can’t be 100% sure, she is going to be absolutely terrified of him coming for her again. I know I would be. I really hope that she and her children are given the care and support of specialist domestic abuse services. And that SHE is the focus. Not him. Why give him the notoriety that will only serve to give him the power he craves. Even if he is dead, what message does this send to other perpetrators of domestic abuse, who all, to some degree, have narcissistic traits to their personalities and will therefore feed off the kind of media attention HE is getting.

There is, sadly, so much more work to be done!