By Jillian Kestler D’Amours |
In Canada, dozens of immigrant women have coauthored a graphic novel about sexual violence. Since their immigration status is often linked to their relationship status, immigrant women are particularly vulnerable to domestic violence.
By Jillian Kestler D’Amours |
In Canada, dozens of immigrant women have coauthored a graphic novel about sexual violence. Since their immigration status is often linked to their relationship status, immigrant women are particularly vulnerable to domestic violence.
It wasn’t an easy decision, but when Mariah Nalubuulwa fled Uganda in 2015 after years of domestic abuse, she knew it was a matter of life and death.
“It’s the worst experience any mother [could] go through. Oh my God,” Nalubuulwa said of leaving behind two young children, a boy and a girl, who are now aged three and five.
“But what was much more important was me being alive … If I stayed with them, I don’t think I’d even be alive today,” she said.
The 32-year-old had been a victim of domestic violence – sexual violence in particular – at the hands of her partner since 2008. She said she was taught that “relationship matters, like bedroom matters, should not go out there to the public.”