I prepared this illustrations in conjunction with International Women's Day that fell on the 8th March, 2018 and also continuing from where @perennial left off on the issue on Domestic Violence.

The Story

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Sally is a very pretty girl, she is what many guys would consider the perfect package. She is sweet, independent, has a good education and respectful to the elders. Many guys have courted her but she is choosy. That was until Tom came into the picture.

Sid was her friend since kindergarten and they knew each other way back. Sid came from a decent family and he was quite well brought up. He is everything that Sally can ask for in a man. He is soft spoken and he is very attentive to her needs. Sid recently returned from London where he just finished his studies in the London School of Economics. He emerged as their top student and he looked like he is destined for a great career.

The Courtship

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Sid like any other man his age as looking for a life partner. He came back to his hometown in Ipoh, Malaysia and it was Sally that he knew since they were only 5. Sally has grown up to be such a stunner. Sid was unsure if he fits the bill but he was smitten. He started courting her and he was successful. He was everything that Sally could ever ask for, a nice gentleman that is educated abroad. A man that looks like he will be a good father and a good husband. Sally was a simple girl, she has her expectation well grounded.

The courtship did not take long. Sid proposed and it was accepted. The other guys had to give up. The flower has been plucked. The first few years were rosy and Sally could not be more convinced of her choice. Sid was a loving husband. Each time when Sally met her girlfriends , they will be talking about how lucky she is to have found Sid.

The Business Venture

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Sid after a few years of employment decided to venture into business. He took his entire savings and tried something new. He wanted a better life for himself and Sally. The financial crisis hit in 2008 and almost all businesses suffered. Sid was no exception.

The sudden turn of event was too much for Sid to accept. He was extremely frustrated and furious. He became prone to outburst and tantrums. Sally didn't know what to do, it is as though her man has changed overnight.

Their Kingdom Fell Apart

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Sid lost everything to the ailing economy. He refuse to take up new employment and he is a very angry man. A man who could not accept his fate. Sally didnt know how to help her man. She tried consoling him but the last she tried, he threw their china set and shatter it to pieces.

It escalated quickly, before Sally knew it the anger was taken out on her. She could not believe the monster that Sid has turned into. He has used his fist on her. Sally was so ashamed, she did not know how to tell her parents and friends. They thought she was living a good life with Sid. The beating did not stop and each time Sally would lock herself in the room fearing that Sid would come home late and drunk. He always did and Sally would be his punching bag.

Sally didn't where to seek help. She confided in her best friend but none of them believed her.

'Tell me which family has never been through the rough?' Kate told her.

'Come on, Sid that nice guy? He beat you, your imagination must be running wild' Jennifer chaffed.

'Try marriage counselling Sally' Sally Dad told her.

The Decision to End it All

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Sally confronted Sid one day but she was bad in choosing the timing. Sid just had a few bottles too many and he was in his usual angry self. The argument escalated quickly and Sally was slapped and punched. Sally could not bear the shame and trauma and that night, she decided she will leave everything behind and she did...she took her own life.

The Message

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Domestic violence is real. It happens to the people around us and they are often helpless and by the time we realise that it is actually taking place is when it burst its top. There is no general profiling of a man that beats his wife or partner. They can be wolves in sheep's skin. Be attentive and seek help.

Happy Internation Women's Day folks.

I dedicate this post to the great women we have in #teammalaysia

@angiechin28, @patlu, @khimgoh, @joannewong, @coloringiship, @elizacheng, @liewsc, @kaerpediem, @jassicania, @joanneandjulia, @sam.hsuu, @notimetospace, @natalielo, @deborism, @melissawong and many other that I could have inadvertently left out.

credit to @zomagic