Shackles Overcoming Domestic Abuse, by Malaika Cohen

This essay explores the story of Malaika Cohen and her account of experiencing and overcoming domestic abuse. In her book â€Å"Shackles† Malaika describes various forms of domestic abuse from life as a young child with a controlling Mother and a physically abusive Father which continued into her adult romantic relationships. It will highlight the changes to legislation since Malaika was a victim and how the meaning of domestic abuse has changed over the years. It will also take a look at behaviour patterns of children who grow up in a household with an alcoholic and how this can impact future relationships. Domestic abuse is often diagnosed under the banner of â€Å"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder†, this essay will look how this can have a negative†¦show more content†¦There is evidence of physical, mental, psychological abuse described from an early age. An alcoholic Father, controlling Mother responsible for a series of abortions made against the will of Mala ika. A husband who after physically abusing her, once separated becomes a vicuous stalker inducing a consistent fear. At the central part of the book, a man walks into Malaikas life, a charming man with an accent, a man who seemed foreign to her in many ways, he was kind to her, offered a sanctuary away from her tyrannical husband and family, a role model for her two daughters in the true meaning of a â€Å"Father†. It is no surprise to the reader when this knight in shining armour turns out to be too good to be true. Malaikas start in life highlights why children of alcoholics can develop certain patterns of behaviour. Malaikas Father drank and would often leave the house for days, returning to a torrent of verbal abuse from his wife. Malaika would go through her young life seeing her Father be violent and abusive. The protection needed from her Mother wasnt available and like many children in homes where there are alcohol problems, Malaika had to learn to avoid showing any feelings or raising her Fathers temper. David Stafford (1992) gives an interesting account of these behaviours developed in his book â€Å"Children of Alcoholics† describing how an unpredictable environment can have lasting effects on the child â€Å"Unfortunately, in alcoholic households the protection and