Abuse victim opens café for victims of domestic violence

By aworden

by Aline Nassif

aline.nassif@essnmedia.co.uk

A woman who suffered physical and mental abuse in her youth has opened a "charity café" for victims of domestic violence.

Janet Bakar hopes to reach out to hundreds of down-trodden women from her welcoming eatery in Westow Street, Upper Norwood.

The café is called Living Water Satisfies - after her charity shop in nearby Church Road.

Janet hopes the informal surroundings will entice customers and raise much-needed funds for the charity's overall £200,000 annual running costs.

"I want to reach out to women who suffer from low self-esteem and a lack of confidence because of abuse," she said.

"I know what that feels like as I suffered physical and mental violence when I was 15, and for a long time was too afraid to even go outdoors because I thought all men wanted to harm me."

Janet says she is on a mission to help women rediscover their "strength".

She added: "With our charity every case is treated individually, which is why the women who come to us feel safe and cared for.

"Some of them just want a chat and support, others need serious help finding places to go or getting out of terrible relationships where children are involved.

"We can put them in touch with GPs, counsellors, police and other supportive organisations in the borough."

The Living Water Satisfies charity was born in August 2001, when Janet and four friends raised enough money to open a charity shop.

Without any financial help from central government, they have built up a scheme that has helped more than 100 women escape violent relationships.

At the back of the café is a conference room, where 43-year-old Janet plans to host domestic violence workshops and counselling sessions.

And her next project will be going into schools across the borough to teach young girls what "healthy relationships are made of".

The café is open from 9am until 6pm, Mondays to Saturdays, and from 10am until 5pm on Sundays.

*To find out more about the charity visit www.livingwatersatisfies.org.uk.