Gifts – Roses and Bruises

Mary Akangbe, a successful professional, outgoing and intelligent. Dressed in power suit, designer handbag with pristine hair and make-up in place, stepping out of a 4X4. You could not have imagined the emotional and sometimes physical abuse she had been subjected to as she got ready for work or a social outing. Mary and Bill met in church and for a while, seemed like a match made in heaven. The abuse then started with a slap while Mary was pregnant, Bill had perfect excuses why she deserved the abuse and violence. Gift, roses and Bruises, is an account of her journey in an abusive and controlling relationship; her struggle with the religious and cultural implications and perception of domestic abuse and violence.