#helpline part 19

[winchestergirl2]

January Reading Recs 2024

To show some love and appreciation to all the amazing writers here on tumblr, here are all the fantastic fics I've read this month. 💖

Many of these fics and blogs are 18+ only, and NSFW please heed the author's individual fic warnings and requests regarding no minors. I am not responsible for your media consumption.

2023 Reading Recs

Smallville

Jason Teague

"Sleep. I'll Keep You Safe. " @thebiggerbear

Authors Summary: Jason has just helped you escape the clutches of his nefarious mother. Where will you go from here now that you know the truth?

"I hate you." "You have a weird way of showing that." @thebiggerbear

Authors Summary: When another student makes an unwanted move on you, Jason's not above flexing his assistant coach authority muscle a little to get the guy to leave you alone and send a message.

Big Sky

Beau Arlen

"I hate you." "You have a weird way of showing that." @thebiggerbear

Authors Summary: He put you with Hoyt and Tonya. For the day. What the hell had he been thinking?

"Sleep. I'll Keep You Safe" @thebiggerbear

Authors Summary: Your house is broken into one night when Beau wasn't home and now you find yourself expecting it to happen again at any moment. Will you ever feel safe in your home again?

Dark Angel

Alec Mcdowell

"I hate you." "You have a weird way of showing that." @thebiggerbear

Authors Summary: You're looking for a way to set yourself up and blend in after breaking out of Manticore. Having heard the rumors, you seek out Max for help. In doing so, you come across someone you had never thought you'd see again.

Being Human Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | @zepskies

Authors Summary: Your life made sense before Alec slipped his way in. He unravels your threads without even trying. He frustrates you as easily as he weasels back into your good graces. But you soon realize that this man is worth the challenge.

The Boys

Soldier Boy

"Sleep. I'll Keep You Safe" @thebiggerbear

Authors Summary: You're tired of running and you go to Soldier Boy for protection. He agrees to do it but not without a price.

Possessive @kaleldobrev

Authors Summary: Ben is highly against when other men hit on you

Dawsons Creek

CJ Braxton

"I hate you." "You have a weird way of showing that." @thebiggerbear

Authors Summary: You had only meant to call once, remaining anonymous while feeling out the whole helpline thing for yourself. Now, you talk to CJ every Friday night around the same time. When you don't call one Friday, CJ is worried and comes looking for you which presents its own host of problems.

Good Morning @zepskies

Authors Summary: Your attempts to get your boyfriend out of bed don’t go as planned.

Supernatural

Dean Winchester

Smoke Eater Part 19 | Epilogue @zepskies

Authors Summary: Dean Winchester is the cocky, but well-respected Lieutenant at Firehouse 25. He leads by example, but he’s also known to break a few hearts. He’s starting to crave something he’s never had, though. Something stable. Something real. 

That’s when he meets you, on a truly terrible day, trapped in a rickety old elevator.

Desire (The Wanton Song) @deanbrainrotwritings

Authors Summary: Dean looks delicious in a suit, that’s it.

What Awaits You In The Dark @dean-winchester-is-a-warrior

Authors Summary: After sleeping with Dean, Y/N really wants to sleep next to him too. Dean seems reluctant. Can Y/N figure out why?

Wake Up Call @wayward-dreamer

Authors Summary: Y/N starts Dean's birthday in a special way.

Blush @kaleldobrev

Authors Summary: For the first time in your life, you can say you’ve made Dean Winchester blush

Always @dean-winchester-is-a-warrior

Authors Summary: When Y/N storms out in anger, Dean is afraid he's lost her.

Privilege @mind-empty-just-fictional-people

Authors summary: dean admits he feels old and you can’t help but gawk at his thinking

Tourniquet @impala-dreamer

Authors Summary: Y/N has been by Dean's side through his worst days, always there if he needs her, forever just a call away. Love is impossible to fight and more impossible to live with. Just a side character in his epic life, Y/N would give anything just to give Dean a moment's peace.

Sam Winchester

Tic Tac Toe Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | @percywinchester27

Authors Summary: The reader shifts into a new city after being offered a dream job by a big firm. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect after an ugly break-up with a douche-bag Ex. But things turn out not as dreamy as she’d want them to be and the only thing that keeps her smiling is a totally coincidental game of Tic Tac Toe.

Untitled Sam Drabble @supernaturalfreewill

Authors Summary: Imagine sending Sam little texts throughout the day. They're his favorite thing and cheer him up during long hunts...

We Could Stay @imaginesfordifferentfandoms

Prompt - Help me I’m being hit on at a bar please be my fake boyfriend for a second

It's All Coming Back To Me Now @sams-sass

Authors Summary: You are falling for Sam until Swan Song happens, but there is something you don't know.

Sam Winchester x Reader, Dean Winchester x Reader

Unopened At Your Feet Chapters 1 - 5 @thoughtslikeaminefield

Authors Summary: This is the story of how I broke my own heart.

[sometimes-men-need-help-too]

Helpline for male domestic abuse victims struggles to cope amid pandemic surge

This was back in 2021 but I wanted to share it anyway

A helpline for male victims of domestic violence is struggling to cope with the volume of calls because of a 35 per cent spike in the numbers seeking help during the pandemic.

Men’s Aid Ireland says it dealt with about 5,500 contacts during 2020, a figure it projects will grow again to 9,000 this year based on a further surge in January and February.

Kathrina Bentley, the organisation's chief executive, said calls are also getting "more worrying and concerning" and their "seriously stretched" three part-time helpline staff are struggling to cope with demand.

“During the last week of January and first week of February, within 10 days we had five very serious suicide situations at the end of the phone,” she said.

“ We had to get Garda assistance for two of them, ring ahead to a hospital for a third and we talked the other two men down.”

The common thread in calls is an abusive relationship, in 95 per cent of cases involving a wife or female partner.

“Hitting me, kicking me, spitting on me, telling me I’m a useless father, telling me I’m crap, telling me I don’t bring in enough income,” she recounted the calls.

“One man said he sleeps in the spare room and his wife soaks his mattress during the day with cold water and leaves the windows open before he comes home from work. So he sleeps on the floor.

“There are pure emotional and psychological games, men who have no access to funds, their partners controlling their finances.”

Funding

Ms Bentley said the organisation sought and was refused funding for a 24/7 helpline from the State’s child and family agency Tusla, which she criticises for allocating 1 per cent of its domestic, sexual and gender based violence (DSGBV) funding to the service.

Along with the Men’s Development Network, it is one of just two Tusla-funded services dedicated to male victims.

Men’s Aid Ireland has €244,000 funding for its six staff operation this year, an increase of €5,000 on last year.

In January, about 600 men contacted the service, and at least 80 calls were missed because the helpline – which runs from 9am to 5pm on weekdays �� can only deal with two callers at any one time.

“It is really worrying,” said Ms Bentley. “Every phone call, we can save or change a life, that is the frontline day to day reality of it. Our small organisation took on the war that is the pandemic of Covid, and the war that is the pandemic of violence, but we are in the trenches with no ammunition.”

Ms Bentley said callers include accountants, gardaí, politicians, doctors, gardeners, postmen, the military, tradesmen and the unemployed.

Some are on the minimum wage while others “live in multi-million euro houses and behind the front door is domestic violence”.

Many are victims of coercive control – “a silent, invisible pattern of abusive behaviour over time” – which she says is “catastrophic for families, children as well as men’s lives and their careers”.

Ages range from 19 to 83 years old, but particularly between 40 to 55.

“It is incredible for a man to have the courage to pick up the phone in the first place,” she said.

“How disappointing and heartbreaking it is when no-one answers that phone.”

‘Bad patch’

Citing a report by Cosc – The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence – that shows one in seven men experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, and 95 per cent do not contact gardai, Ms Bentley suggested the numbers not seeking help could be as high as “a couple of hundred thousand”.

Ms Bentley said callers often don’t see themselves as victims of domestic abuse and hope it is a “bad patch” that will pass because they don’t want the family to break up. “When you ask them how long it has been going on for, and they say three to six years, well that’s not a bad patch in a relationship, that is an abusive relationship.”

In response to calls in a parliamentary question for a 24/7 national helpline, Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said the Government was currently carrying out an audit of DSGBV services.

There was no comment from Tusla.

[australianwomensnews]

Charlotte Jerrim was just 19 when she decided upon breast implants.

The now 28-year-old said there were no checks of her physical or mental health beforehand, nor was she properly warned about the risks.

“I was young and I purely wanted them for cosmetic reasons,” the Canberra woman told this masthead. “At the time, a lot of my friends had them and there was social pressure to have bigger boobs.”

It was not long before she started to experience issues with her health; brain fog, a rash that would come and go, migraines, chronic fatigue and changes to her menstrual cycle. She battled the symptoms for six years before being diagnosed with Systemic Symptoms Associated with Breast Implants (SSBI) and opted to have an explant.

“If I had been counselled about why I wanted the surgery and properly made aware of the associated risks, I don’t think I would have got them,” she said.

Anyone considering cosmetic surgery is now required to have a referral to the surgeon from a general practitioner who will assess the mental and physical health of patients before recommending them for any procedure.

The requirement is part of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) new National Safety and Quality Cosmetic Surgery Standards (Cosmetic Surgery Standards), to be implemented alongside every service where cosmetic surgery is performed, from small day procedure clinics, through to large health organisations and builds on rules announced by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in July.

Along with patient suitability, cosmetic surgery advertising must now comply with legislation and national codes and guidelines to avoid manipulating or deceiving customers.

Clinicians must obtain informed consent from patients about expected outcomes, potential risks and possible outcomes, and the costs associated should complications arise. They must also establish a complaints service and seek feedback from patients about their experiences and outcomes or care.

Services are now required to have credentialing processes to verify the qualifications and experience of all practitioners performing cosmetic surgery. Meanwhile, post-operative care instructions must be provided to patients, including what to do in case of an emergency, with clinicians to ensure comprehensive post-operative reviews are undertaken.

The standards do not include non-surgical procedures such as cosmetic injectables and thread lifts and fat freezing.

Since September 2022, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency has fielded 179 formal complaints and 428 calls to the Cosmetic Surgery Helpline. It is estimated that $473 million has been spent in Australia this year on cosmetic surgery, according to IBS World research.

[newsonradar001]

Chandigarh News Today in Hindi: Top Updates You Should Know!

Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, is a bustling city known for its modern architecture, urban planning, and rich cultural heritage. From political developments to social events and lifestyle changes, Chandigarh remains a hub of activity. Here are the top updates from Chandigarh News Today in Hindi

1. Chandigarh's Air Quality Concerns

With the arrival of winter, Chandigarh has started witnessing a gradual decline in air quality. Experts have raised concerns over the increasing pollution levels, which are primarily due to vehicular emissions and crop stubble burning in neighboring states. The administration is pushing for stricter measures to curb air pollution, including promoting public transportation and reducing industrial emissions.

2. Chandigarh University Hosts Innovation Summit

Chandigarh University recently hosted an Innovation Summit, bringing together students, researchers, and entrepreneurs. The event focused on the role of technology in addressing real-world challenges. From AI-based healthcare solutions to eco-friendly transportation models, the summit showcased innovative ideas and solutions that could revolutionize industries.

3. Smart City Project Advances

Chandigarh’s Smart City project is making steady progress. The city administration announced the launch of several new initiatives aimed at improving public services, traffic management, and waste management. As part of the project, smart traffic signals, integrated command centers, and advanced waste disposal systems are being implemented across the city.

4. Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Elections

The political scene in Chandigarh is heating up as municipal corporation elections are just around the corner. Political parties are gearing up with campaigns and rallies to secure votes. Issues such as water supply, sanitation, and infrastructure development are expected to dominate the election agenda.

5. Boost in Tourism

Chandigarh has seen a rise in domestic and international tourists, thanks to the city's growing reputation as a tourist-friendly destination. The government has been promoting cultural festivals, eco-tourism, and heritage sites to attract more visitors. The Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, and Rose Garden continue to be popular attractions for tourists.

6. COVID-19 Vaccination Drive Updates

Chandigarh's COVID-19 vaccination drive is moving at a rapid pace, with the majority of the eligible population already vaccinated. The administration has now shifted its focus to booster doses and vaccinating schoolchildren. Health officials have been urging the public to remain cautious and continue following safety protocols.

7. Educational Reforms in Chandigarh Schools

The education sector in Chandigarh is seeing significant changes, with new reforms aimed at improving the quality of education. The administration has introduced digital learning platforms and skill development programs to ensure students have access to modern education tools. Teachers are also being trained to adapt to new teaching methodologies.

8. Development of New Green Spaces

Chandigarh is set to develop more green spaces and parks to enhance the city's urban environment. Several new parks are being planned, with a focus on promoting physical activity and community engagement. These spaces will also contribute to improving the city's air quality and biodiversity.

9. Chandigarh Police Introduces Women Safety Measures

To enhance women's safety in the city, the Chandigarh Police have introduced new initiatives such as increasing patrols in sensitive areas, deploying more female officers, and setting up a dedicated helpline for women. The aim is to make Chandigarh a safer place for women and improve public confidence in law enforcement.

10. Cultural Events and Festivals

Chandigarh is gearing up for the festive season with a variety of cultural events. From Diwali celebrations to music festivals and food fairs, the city is embracing its vibrant cultural diversity. These events not only bring together the community but also boost the local economy by attracting tourists.

Conclusion

Chandigarh continues to evolve as a modern city with a blend of tradition and progress. Whether it's technological advancements, political developments, or cultural celebrations, the city remains dynamic and full of energy. Stay updated with the latest news from Chandigarh to keep yourself informed about important changes and events in the city.

[northeastjobs]

Helpline Worker - Mental Health

Mental Health Matters are looking to employ a Helpline Worker - Mental Health Contract Type: Permanent | Working Pattern: Please see advert text | Salary: £24,960, with progression to £27,560 per annum (salary will be pro-rata for part time hours) | Advert End Date: 19/06/2024 23:59 |  http://dlvr.it/T7FXRm

[tvbuzzerstory]

Government Launches Nationwide Campaign for Mental Health Awareness

Introduction

In a landmark move to address one of the most pressing health concerns of our time, the Indian government has launched a nationwide campaign for mental health awareness. This initiative, heralded as a significant step towards destigmatizing mental health issues, aims to educate the public, provide accessible resources, and integrate mental health into the broader healthcare system.

The Urgency of Mental Health Awareness

Mental health has often been a neglected aspect of healthcare in India. According to the National Mental Health Survey of India, conducted by NIMHANS in 2016, nearly 14% of India's population requires active mental health interventions. Despite the high prevalence, Trending Health News Today India there is a severe shortage of mental health professionals, and the stigma surrounding mental illness often prevents individuals from seeking help.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues, with increased cases of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders reported nationwide. The economic downturn, social isolation, and uncertainties about the future have further contributed to the mental health crisis. Recognizing these challenges, the government's campaign is a timely and necessary intervention.

Key Components of the Campaign

Public Education and Awareness   :

The campaign focuses on educating the public about the importance of mental health, recognizing symptoms of mental health disorders, and understanding that seeking help is not a sign of weakness. Various media platforms, including television, radio, social media, and print, are being utilized to disseminate information.

School and Workplace Programs    :

Recognizing that early intervention can significantly impact outcomes, the campaign includes programs aimed at schools and workplaces. Training sessions for teachers and employers on identifying and addressing mental health issues are part of this initiative. Students and employees will have access to workshops and resources to support their mental well-being.

Expanding Access to Services   :

To address the shortage of mental health professionals, the government is working on expanding telemedicine services, making it easier for people in remote areas to access mental health care. Additionally, Trending Health News Today India there is an effort to integrate mental health services into primary healthcare centers, ensuring that mental health care is accessible and affordable.

Helpline Services    :

A nationwide helpline has been established to provide immediate support to those in distress. Trained counselors are available 24/7 to offer assistance, guidance, and referrals to appropriate services.

Combating Stigma     :

Reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues is a critical component of the campaign. Public figures, including celebrities, athletes, and influencers, are being enlisted to share their experiences and advocate for mental health awareness. By normalizing conversations around mental health, the campaign aims to create a more supportive environment for those affected.

Collaborative Efforts

The success of this campaign relies on the collaboration between government agencies, non-profit organizations, healthcare providers, and the community at large. NGOs and mental health advocates play a crucial role in reaching out to vulnerable populations and providing on-ground support. Healthcare providers are being trained to incorporate mental health screenings and referrals into their routine practices.

The Road Ahead

While the launch of this campaign is a significant step forward, sustained efforts and continuous evaluation are essential to its success. Mental health is a long-term commitment, Trending Health News Today India and the government must ensure that funding, resources, and political will are consistently directed towards this cause.

The campaign's ultimate goal is to create a society where mental health is given the same importance as physical health, where individuals feel empowered to seek help, and where support systems are robust and accessible. As the nation embarks on this journey, it is imperative that every citizen recognizes the importance of mental health and contributes to building a healthier, more empathetic India.

Leveraging Technology for Mental Health

The government is also harnessing technology to expand the reach of mental health services. This includes    :

Telemedicine    :

Expanding telemedicine services to provide remote consultations with mental health professionals. This is particularly crucial for reaching individuals in rural and underserved areas where access to mental health services is limited.

Mobile Apps     :

Developing and promoting mobile apps that offer mental health resources, self-help tools, and direct access to professional support. These apps are designed to be user-friendly and cater to a wide range of mental health needs.

Online Platforms   :

Creating online platforms where people can access educational materials, participate in forums, and seek anonymous support from peers and professionals. These platforms aim to create a safe space for discussing mental health issues without fear of stigma.

Conclusion

The nationwide campaign for mental health awareness launched by the Indian government marks a significant step towards addressing the mental health crisis in the country. By focusing on education, accessibility, and reducing stigma, this initiative aims to create a supportive environment where mental health is prioritized, Trending Health News Today India and individuals feel empowered to seek help. With sustained effort and collaboration across various sectors, this campaign has the potential to bring about a transformative change in how mental health is perceived and treated in India.

[hrblusky]

Support for Mental Health in the UAE is Growing 

The UAE has been working for years to promote the development of mental health services for the community. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted this need even more. And in the latest development, changes to UAE personal law have placed suicide and help from support groups back in the spotlight. Those who attempt suicide but survive will have counselling and psychological support, rather than face prosecution. 

A recent study led by the World Health Organization showed that depression and anxiety cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year in lost productivity. 

The problem is often exacerbated in the UAE as so many expatriates come from close-knit communities back home and face stress from living away from this support structure. Being away from home provides benefits from living in a multi-cultural environment but also brings stress related to issues such as finance, work overload, health, loneliness, and family relationships. 

Research shows that stressed employees are more likely to: 

Leave the company 

Take sick days 

Have a workplace accident 

Have a weak emotional connection to the workplace 

Obtaining a budget is rarely easy, but organizations need to look at the return on investment of a healthy, happy, and engaged employee who is more focused and productive. 

Despite challenges, many companies now offer mental health support for employees as awareness and recognition of the problem grows in the UAE. 

One solution is to outsource mental health support by engaging with a third-party health administrator and setting up a hotline especially for employees in stressful situations, such as the loss of a loved one, to help them deal with issues as they arise. 

There are several providers of such schemes in the UAE including: 

ICAS International (part of the AXA Insurance group) 

American Wellness Centre 

Thrive Wellbeing Centre 

Lighthouse Arabia 

At a cost of approximately Dh120-Dh160 per year, per person, employees can access personal support hotlines, online health portals, and other services that extend to employees’ families. Often access is provided to professional counselling psychologists, legal financial experts, coaches and nutritionists. 

For organizations who can afford an in-house provision, an employee welfare programmer (EAP) may be the answer. 

Typically, an EAP might include any of these services: 

Clinical or counselling psychologist assessment 

Face-to-face intervention counselling 

Health information 

Managerial/occupational health referral 

On-site training, briefings, and workshops 

Planned telephone counselling 

The UAE Government has also set up centrally funded services, including a mental health helpline manned by over 30 specialists made up of counsellors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Run by the UAE National Programmer for Happiness and Wellbeing (NPHW), in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development, it was established to help people cope with stress, fear and anxiety during the Covid-19 pandemic. Services include: 

Leaves Dubai, for women going through difficulties in marriage or divorce 

Mental Health UAE, an online directory and support network 

Safe Space, a free community including mental health support through events and other activities 

If you see the value in taking care of your employees and want support in managing medical benefits or outsourcing your employee services, why not look at HRBluSky, our UAE based HRMS offering cost-effective and customizable solutions to support your business. 

[qnewsau]

Nineteen recommendations from NSW Inquiry into LGBTIQ Hate Crimes

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/nineteen-recommendations-from-nsw-inquiry-into-lgbtiq-hate-crimes/

Nineteen recommendations from NSW Inquiry into LGBTIQ Hate Crimes

The long-awaited report from a Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes in NSW has made 19 recommendations.

The final report contains seven recommendations relating to specific cases, as well as 12 recommendations relating to investigative and record management practices and procedures, including:

Establishment of a review or audit by NSW Police of all unsolved homicides for the period 1970 to 2010, including review of exhibits and those that should be submitted for forensic testing in light of possible technological advances.

Several recommendations relating to the enhancement of the Unsolved Homicide Team (UHT) including a review of practices, procedures and resourcing of the UHT, and provision of training.

Implementation of mandatory and ongoing training for NSW Police officers concerning the LGBTIQ community, including in relation to LGBTIQ bias crime, conscious and unconscious bias in investigations, and the engagement of appropriately qualified experts to ensure international best practice in NSW.

In particular, the Inquiry looked into the 88 deaths or suspected deaths of men potentially motivated by gay hate bias that were investigated by Strike Force Parrabell.

In a series of public hearings, the deaths of 32 people were examined in detail.

READ MORE: We never let Scott go

Police blasted in last hearing of NSW Hate Crimes Inquiry

The Inquiry also looked at social, legal and cultural factors affecting the LGBTIQ community, as well as the nature of the relationship between the LGBTIQ community and the NSW Police Force over the 40-year period.

In the course of its work the Inquiry examined more than 150,000 documents, issued more than 400 summonses, made public appeals for information, and held public and private hearings.

The final report comprises of almost 3500 pages.

“The comprehensive work undertaken by the Inquiry has shone a light on some of the darkest events in our states history, NSW Attorney General Michael Daley said.

“I know many members of our community have been deeply impacted by the events examined by the Inquiry and the reopening of wounds that has been a difficult but necessary part of this process.”

“We hope that in a small way this process will have provided some level of closure and healing.”

“Our work here is far from over and our focus now shifts to ensuring we deliver a meaningful and decisive response., We owe nothing less to victims, their families and friends.”

“I thank all of those who came forward with information or otherwise assisted the Inquiry – for your contributions and staunch advocacy for partners, family members, friends and community,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.

“It takes courage to relive the traumatic experiences you have shared as partners, family and friends who have lost loved ones, and as a community that has suffered unimaginable injustice.”

“Thank you also to Commissioner Sackar and the entire Inquiry team for your tireless work in pursuing justice for the victims of these crimes.”

Premier Chris Minns said the NSW government “will now take the time required to thoroughly consider the Commission’s report.”

If you need someone to talk to, help is available from QLife on 1800 184 527 or online at QLife.org.au, Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[planindiango]

I Want to Create Child Marriage Free Villages

In India’s southern state of Telangana, close to 27 per cent of girls get married between the ages of 15 and 19. A vast majority of these marriages take place in rural areas, predominantly among the most socially and economically disadvantaged communities.

This situation is all too familiar to 18-year-old Ragini* who has seen many teenage girls in her area being forced into child and early marriage by their parents. Ragini, however, is determined that she won’t keep quiet and will do something about it.

My father abandoned me soon after I was born. He wanted a boy. He didn’t want to take up the responsibility of raising a girl child. Barely able to make ends meet, he couldn’t face the prospect of any more hardship to raise money for my dowry in the future. He left my mother and I was brought up by her and my grandmother.

My birth was a result of arranged marriage between my parents. My mother was barely 18. She didn’t have any say in her own marriage that so dramatically changed her life.

I have grown up witnessing the extreme suffering my mother has endured in raising me all by herself – particularly in a society that places even less value on a woman abandoned by her husband. She works very hard as a manual labourer to earn just about enough for us to survive.

Her daily struggles serve as a strong reminder to me as to why girls should never be forced into marriage and why they must be given an education to stand on their own two feet.

When I was in class 8, I became aware that my friend and classmate was getting married – her parents arranged it for her. I was shocked and deeply upset for her. I reported the matter to my teachers who met with the girl’s parents but to no avail. The parents were adamant and strongly resisted anyone interfering into their private affair.

My teachers backed off, but I wasn’t prepared to let this injustice happen to my friend who was just a child. I mobilised about 10 girls in my class and reported the matter to the local authorities. With their intervention the child marriage was stopped. It made me realise that if girls raise their voice, things can change.

A year ago, I became part of Plan India Girls Advocacy Alliance project that’s working to end child marriage in my district and is empowering girls to realise their rights.

Being part of a movement that involves many other girls like me has boosted my confidence and strengthened my resolve to make a difference. I have learnt how I can advocate for girls’ rights, mobilise girls to stand up for themselves and influence those who can make things better for them.

With the knowledge and skills I have gained, I have now taken on the challenge to make as many villages child marriage free as possible. I speak to religious and community leaders, hold meetings with local government officials and regularly motivate girls and their parents to put an end to child marriage. Only when the society starts valuing girls equally to boys, real change will happen.

It’s not easy to convince people to change their mindset. It takes a lot of effort. I am used to facing resistance from parents and community elders, but I don’t shy away from speaking my mind. If necessary, I remind them it’s illegal to get their daughters married off if they are under 18.

On the other hand, I tell girls about the help they can access if they are ever in that situation. They can call the helpline or even go the police. I strongly feel that people responsible for child marriage must not go unpunished. Slowly, the change is happening. It will take time, and I am not expecting miracles overnight.

I have completed my A levels and want to pursue a degree in commerce. I want to be a civil servant and pull myself and my mother out of poverty. Recently, my father made contact with us and visits us occasionally. Despite the extreme challenges of the past, I want to keep looking ahead.

Girls tell me that they feel inspired by me and think of me as a leader. I do feel proud of myself that despite all my personal struggles I never feel hopeless and beaten. On the contrary, I feel there is so much more I can achieve.

https://www.planindia.org/case-study/i-want-to-create-child-marriage-free-villages/

[leximsiel]

The Past Year (Drafted 22nd January, 2021)

(I thought I had posted about this some 2.5 years ago, but apparently not! It is a little self-serving praise, but I could do with some just now. It's also 1 of my 5 pieces of Reflective Accounts for Revalidation with the NMC.)

A few words about my involvement in the Covid pandemic.

In the past year, not only have I found myself a role in a new office that I enjoy, owning to the Covid-19 situation I was given a number of opportunities to prove my skills and adaptability in different settings:

Assisting in a helpline responding to staff enquiries about the Covid-19 situation with reference to board-wide guidelines specific to healthcare staff;

Taking part in setting up a staff well-being service in a district general hospital, and participating in providing peer support services to "frontline" NHS staff;

Participating in a follow-up process to engage with staff who were tested positive for Covid-19;

Participating in providing a phone based listening service for NHS and other health care workers;

And in my current role (at time of writing), co-ordinating the delivery of influenza vaccinations to vulnerable individuals who attend our CMHT, and also contributing to maximising immunity to Covid-19 within the local population.

The uncommon circumstances in my career prior to entering the pandemic had exposed me to the opportunities above, and I am grateful for the same. Whilst fully aware there is much for me still to learn about Nursing (and improving myself as a person), I long had confidence in my ability to adapt and the versatility to work in different challenging environments that had varying specifications under stress.

There are odd days when I think about if I wasn’t so far behind in my career, what more I could have taken part in, and I’d rather the pandemic didn’t happen at all, but I did manage to prove to myself the qualities I thought I had.

I’d like to think that the experiences have led me to become more pragmatic in my approach to Nursing, and certain other aspects of life. I’ve gotten more conscious of the impact that I could make with reference to quality improvement and leadership skills, and having more awareness about factors to be mindful of in the “setting up” phase of projects.

[elvesandlanterns]

Ghost helpline part 19 Back to Work

Alright so throwing herself off a tall tree hadn’t been the best idea but it had worked! The kid was off her trail, now she’d be able to … spy on him? Stop his evil pan? Alright so she didn’t know exactly what she could do with this information but she would figure it out!

Al Ghuls are dangerous and Robin is an Al Ghul. Batman had to know that! But … did the Wayne’s? Violet had watched a lot of their TV appearances while she was out sick and …Brucie was just that Brucie. Adorable but dumb.

This was the guy who crashed into a tower champagne flutes at his own party! The guy who got drunk and fell off ships! … The guy who sent her flowers and texted dad cat pics. There’s no way he knew just how evil the Al Ghuls were, one of them must have used him for the money. Or maybe his kid was adopted like the rest of them… but then why hide it?

“Uuuughhhhh why does this all have to be so confusing!” Ahhhh! She just wanted to fight something! Having a clear target would be so much easier!

Were the Wayne’s in trouble? Chances were the kid was a master manipulator, a killer trained from birth!

Birth… the statement made Violet feel bad. But it was probably the truth, she remembered those swords, that smug look her gave her during the summons. The look humans get when they think they can kill something bigger than them. The kid was a killer… the same kid that tried to catch her when she “fell”. The same kid that apparently painted, and panicked. And allowed himself to be dragged away by his older brother.

Maybe … maybe …

Knock knock

“Come in!”

Step step cccrreeaakk step step ccccrrreeakk

“Oh, hey Chad.”

This was weird… Chad never sought Violet out.

“Sit down let me look at your legs.”

“Oh! Am I due for a tune up? We can go down to the workshop instead?”

“Stop talking and sit down.”

She sat, igniting a magic circle on her leg. Hearing air escape for a brief moment before her leg popped off and clanged to the floor. Repeating the process with her other leg she took a chance to look at Chad. Her brother seemed …sad?

“You should take better care of yourself.”

“What?”

“I said take better care of yourself, you’re making dad worry.” He tinkered with the metal legs.

“Oh sorry.” Violet had meant to make dad worry, he already had enough on his plate. And now she had even bothered Chad over something simple. If she were smarter she’d be able to keep up with her prosthetics by herself.

“Good. Don’t get sick again. It’s bothersome.”

Right. Bothersome.

She laid back as Chad kept at it. A nap wouldn’t hurt—

Knock knock knock

The person behind the door didn’t wait for a response and walked right in.

“Violet we need to talk.”

“Oh Dandy, me and Chad are already-“

“Done.” Chad left like a wolf was chasing him out.

“Violet,” Dandy aborted a motion to rake threw his hair and sat down instead, “Violet we will be getting a visitor soon, around three or so. That boy is coming over to apologize to you.”

“Oh that’s nice of him.” Oh shit.

“I need you to promise me you’ll be careful if father pushes you two to be friends.”

“Yes yes I know to be careful! No magic no slip ups I-“

A look filtered threw her brothers face, “That’s not what I mean.” Dandy reached over.

Dandy held her hand. They had held hands before, Violet loved holding hands with Dandy and dad. It made her feel safe and warm sure but more than anything it gave her something Violet craved the way other demons craved blood. Hold their hands made Konstelacio feel wanted.

But this… this was different, there was a look in Dandy’s eyes she’d never seen before.

“You know not to trust humans, Violet. You know how awful they all are.”

Violet swallowed, she knew.

“I need you to be careful don’t let your guard down for a moment.”

“But Dandy—“

His grip on her hand hardened, “Promise me Violet. Promise me you won’t trust any human with your heart. They don’t deserve you.”

Violet scooted closer to him, now that statement didn’t make any sense. Her heart?

“… is,” her voice was quite, “Is this about dad and Mr Wayne?”

“Promise me.”

“Dandy—“

“Please. I don’t want to see you get hurt again. Any of you. I don’t think I could take it.”

Oh Dandy was crying. She’d never seen her biggest big brother cry before…

“Okay I promise.”

They hugged like it was the first time all over again. Like someone was going to reach out and snatch her out of his arms.

—- —- —-

Violet stayed in bed with her one remaining knee up. She didn’t know what to think anymore. Humans are bad sure but not all of them.

The humans in Fawcett were kind. And she had meet Jack when he was still a human. A lot of magical creatures started off as humans and and … and Mr Wayne was nice.

He sent her flowers when she was sick. And talked to her sweetly whenever she picked up the phone. He made daddy happy. Why can’t Dandy see that?

She levitated her prosthetics, one at a time, on to the bed. Their flight was wobbly, they were the heaviest thing she could carry.

Putting her legs back on she felt a pull. A tug.

She spared a look at the clock, 1:33pm.

Tug tug tug - she had enough time.

She stood up, “Alright then back to work.”

A second layer and she was gone.

[bittersweetimaginings]

I know he’s far from sweet, may I request though some fluff with Alex DeLarge? Pronouns for she/her and I don’t mind dark content mentions ^^

In the aftermath • Alex DeLarge

⚠️Content warning: Mentions of s3x (consensual), violent actions/behavior, thr3ats, gang activity, manipulative behavior, ghastlighting, verbal, psychological and emotional abus3, hoovering, over all the depiction of a very t0xic and codependent relationship. (I'm sorry, but this is just angst with a few ""cute"" moments sprinkled here and there, tho I might do something more "light" in the future for Alex)

*These characters do not belong to me, all rights to their respective owners, this is just a piece of entertainment by and for fans.

Summary: You finally get fed up of your boyfriend treating you like shit, so you gather up the courage to end the relationship; too bad he knows his way to your home and heart.

Reader’s pronouns: She/Her

Keys: Y/N = Your Name. Nadsat glossary.

Recommendation: I based this piece on the song “Hoax” by Taylor Swift, “Embers (Alt Version 2014)” by Max Richter & Elfa Rún Kristinsdóttir & Chui-Yee Trey Lee, “Beth’s theme” and “Broken” by Ólafur Arnalds so I highly recommend listening to them as you read :)

Author's note: If you want to send your own request, please check the Disclaimer & Rules post and the MASTERLIST post to see more content and which characters are available.

I try my best to not let characters be OOC and I think the only way to have a "fluff" moment with Alex is him using this as a manipulation tactic...so yeah, he's an asshole.

Also I believe in the movie Alex is 18/19 and by the end of it 22 or something idk, so I implemented this on the story (and will keep doing so in future requests), so to keep you from any confusion that might arise: Alex and reader are currently 18 in the story, with reader developing a crush on Alex at 14 until they met and started dating at 15-16, a bit before Alex started his criminal endeavors with his droogs; this is a very long piece, sorry if it differs much from what you were expecting (the “fluff” part is almost at the end), I got carried away ._.

I'm not here to judge why you are consuming this type of content (I'm the one doing the writing after all) I know from personal experience that this type of content (as weird as it sounds to some of you) might be used as a coping mechanism to a similar situation some of us might've experience or are currently experiencing irl; but just in case, I want to encourage you to reach for help, so please, if you're going through a tough time or experiencing some kind of violence, here are some resources that I was able to find and might be of help, please stay safe everyone:

List of countries and their helplines for d0m3stic abus3, s3xual as5ault and other resources.

List of other resources for immediate help.

List of countries and their respective helplines for su1cid3 prevention/crisis.

It's been almost 2 whole months.

It's been almost 2 months since you last saw him.

They say time heals all wounds but in your case you have only grown more anxious as time keeps passing and you haven't seen him.

"Maybe it’s part of the breakup process." you try to find some peace in that idea, but it's quite difficult once you take into account that this is the longest breakup period you had endured without him, normally it will only last a few days, maybe a couple of weeks at most and the two of you would be back together as if nothing ever happened until the cycle repeats itself once again.

"you're fine, it's better this way." You repeat out loud in order to convince yourself.

Two months ago you broke up with Alex, your boyfriend of almost 3 years but you had been in love with him for quite some time before that; Alex had been one of the boys you went to school with and since the very first time you saw him you felt a connection, so passionate and vibrant it was almost frightening; but since Alex had always been quite the charmer, he was surrounded by people (especially girls) all the time, so your shyness and immense fear of embarrassing yourself prevented you from approaching him in any way and for a time you were fine with just loving him quietly thinking that in time you'll grow out of your little crush; but it wasn't until your friend Pete (He was mostly friend of your brother, nonetheless you still hung out with him and got along) started to hang out with Alex that the two of you finally met.

You and your brother had been hanging out in Pete's house as usual, talking nonsense while playing a friendly game of poker when suddenly his new friends stopped by and that was the first time Alex saw you, it was hard not to, you were the only woman in the room and he promptly teased Peter by asking him if you were his girlfriend which he quickly denied.

“‘Course not, she’s too pretty for you, ain’t that right, my lovely?”

As a not so subtle blush crept into your cheeks you could only reply to the unexpected compliment with a sheepish smile, fearing you might say something ridiculous if you were to utter a single word.

That night you didn’t say much if anything at all, only uttering your goodbye’s once you decided to leave, not being able to bear Alex gaze sizing you up “discretely” from time to time without growing redder everytime it happened.

The next time you met him was outside the local library after a long afternoon dedicated to your studies, you had lost the track of time and now the sun was almost setting, nervous and quite frightened you decided to head back home as fast as you could manage, you knew just how awful the city can get at night, you had seen the news; the ever increasing gang activity in town had everyone cowering back to their homes before sunset in an almost unspoken curfew, you knew that if you didn’t make it back home in a few minutes not only your Mama would worry, but also something horrible might happen to you if you had the bad luck to encounter the wrong people. 

“Well, well, well; Greetings Y/N!” the sudden mention of your name making you turn around immediately, only to find dear Alex leaning against one of the light posts in front of you.

“um…hello, Alex” your reply comes in a hushed tone, your shyness momentarily taken away By the surprising fact that he knows your name which you never told him but you guess Pete must have done so.

“Say, no pretty ptitsa* like you should be out at this hour, your poor em* must be worried.”

He stated as he approached you, not even bothering with hiding the fact that he was once again sizing you up lasciviously with his eyes; now no longer oblivious to the fact that he was flirting with you and high on all of his unexpected but very much wanted attention you decide to make a move even if a small one, you were grateful to have the perfect excuse laid before you, and so you asked: 

“I know, I just lost track of time.” you chuckle lightly “Alex, I know it might be troublesome to ask this of you, but would you care to accompany me home?”

Though momentarily surprised by your unexpected brief moment of boldness, Alex does nothing but smile widely to himself before replying a few seconds later:

“It would be my pleasure.” 

that night he had indeed escorted you home, but made a brief stop in an alley near your house to fuck you hard in the cold winter air of a january night; not exactly how you had planned to lose your virginity but you were happy nonetheless, specially because he had treated you so sweetly afterwards even making you laugh with him placing a kiss on your hand in a chivalrous but over-the-top farewell gesture before parting ways as he left you safe and sound on your doorstep.

you guessed that would be the end of it, a one night stand and nothing more, and you were fine with that, at the very least you had experienced being embraced fully by the very person you had had a crush on for a long time. 

And for a while it was true, remaining as almost perfect strangers, the only thing changing between the two of you being the small acknowledgements you’ll give each other in the forms of brief smiles, small hand waves or a slight tipping of the bowler hat he had begun wearing recently, as he saw you passing by.

But then there was a night as cold as the other, you were sitting by the vanity near the large window in your room, getting ready for bed; until you heard the sound of something hitting the window, harsh enough to spook you but lightly enough to see that breaking it was not the intent. As you approached the window your face now reflecting disbelief at the person standing at the bottom of it: Alex.

“Well hello, Darling” he seemed a bit…off, jumpy, perhaps even restless.

“Alex? what are you doing here?”

“Oh, you know, just passing by, it occured to me that might as well pay you a visit, long time no see and all that.” you know it’s a lie as he is looking over his shoulder as he says this, and that's when you heard it: faint due to distance but very much recognizable…police sirens.

Alex looks at you dead serious, gauging your reaction in search of any sign you had put two and two together and whether or not you would help him, you look at him with the same intensity and without a word you retreat back into your bedroom; Alex almost curses you out right then and there, but his face is met with a large white cloth emanating from your bedroom window.

“I'll hold it, but you better hurry.” Your words pleased Alex greatly and in no time he was climbing up the make-shift rope, a big smile plastered all over his face; as he is climbing the last bit of the cloth, you hear the sirens approach dangerously so without wasting a single second you pull Alex in with all the strength you can muster, which is not much as he ends up falling and hitting the left side of his body against your bedroom floor, but once he’s inside you let the cloth fall (deciding that you’ll recover it later), shut the windows, the blinds and turn off the lights. What follows are a few tense seconds that felt like minutes as you hear the police siren right in front of your house and the blue and red light reflecting on your bedroom as they pass by it and only when they drive away, Alex's infectious laugh is what breaks the silence, but as you hear footsteps approaching your bedroom you cover his mouth quickly.

“Y/N? Dear, what was all that noise? Are you alright?” The voice of your father outside your bedroom door makes you panic, you look at Alex as you try to come up with an excuse but even with your hand over his mouth you can see he’s smiling, his mischievous blue eyes trained on you awaiting your next move.

“Umm…yes, Dad, don’t worry I just dropped some things”

“You sure? Do you need help with anything?” your father questions and you can hear the door knob turning.

“No dad, please don’t enter, I'm changing.” you yell hurriedly, and that’s all you need to drive your father away as he mutters an apologetic “ok” and you finally hear him walk back to his bedroom, is only then when you feel you can finally breathe and as you remove your hand from Alex’s face, he bursts out laughing once again though this time, as quietly as he can manage.

“Is not funny, we almost got caught!” you scold him lightly.

“Apologies my dear, but you should have seen your face.” he manages to muster in between laughs. Part of you is curious and eager to ask why he was running from the police while wearing such strange clothing? but the questions get caught up in your throat as you become aware of Alex’s injuries.

“God, are you alright?” you mutter as you inspect his face carefully to which he immediately goes silent analyzing your face as an unreadable expression falls on his own. Moments later you have Alex sitting on your bathroom toilet as you stand before him cleaning and tending to his injuries as best as you can;his face still lays frozen in that same serious yet mysterious expression as he looks at you.

Truth be told he was trying his best to comprehend the situation, your unwavering gentle and soft demeanor paired with your eagerness to help him had taken him by surprise to say the least; most girls he had one night stands with had never treated him like you had in the aftermath, in fact; that night you weren’t the first girl who’s window he had come knocking, but you were the first one to have helped him, even if that could’ve put you in a dangerous or troublesome position; you even went as far as to care for his injuries, minor as they were, so attentively.

And the first thought that popped into his mind is how adorable he finds what he perceives as foolishness on your part, a thought that allows for a small smile to break his serious façade of which you take notice and smile back at him almost instinctively.

“What?” you questioned with a glint of nervousness on your voice, Alex shakes his head slightly before closing the small space in between you with a soft kiss that caught you by surprise but you returned his affection shortly after by allowing him to fuck you once again, though this time was quite different, not only because you where no longer in an alleyway in the cool night air, but because this time it felt more real somehow as his touch was no longer hurried nor rough but soft and gentle; he spent the whole night beside you, you even remember him caressing your cheek as your head laid there near his chest.

And after that night everything changed, he wasn't just greeting you from afar, oh no; this time around he make sure everybody knew of your “relationship”, greeting you warmly by holding you in his arms every time he had the chance, introducing you as his girlfriend to everyone even his parents, showering you with gifts, compliments and fun escapades that made nothing but accelerate your heart.

You genuinely thought of him as being “the one” and how could you not? Oh how unbelievably sweet Alex was when he was trying to conquer you.

You were so deeply blinded by his so-called love that today it’s impossible for you to know exactly when things began to change. Did it began with all those “jokes” or comments he made about you in front of his droogs? You hated those because they made you uncomfortable, especially the ones that made fun of your body. Perhaps it was right after that time where you decided to hang out with your friends instead of him? The next time you saw him he acted as if you didn’t even exist and stopped talking to you for days until you apologized. Was it after your first fight? He yelled at you so horribly you almost thought it was a nightmare and not reality, but he apologized right after so it was alright, right? or Was it that time he belittled you so badly he made you cry in front of his friends? you’ll never forget the look they gave you, almost as if they pitied you, you felt so ashamed and demoralized you felt your eyes would start bleeding as your tears kept falling nonstop, or maybe it was after you found out about him being a gang leader? about the things he did? he started off by revealing just the small things: robbery or vandalism, always ready with a very good excuse up his sleeve (that or you were just desperate to believe him, believe he wasn’t…all that bad) but as time passed by he didn’t even bother to make any excuses nor did you bother to ask what he had done in his outings; you had learned that doing so would only end badly as the last time you did so he had made you tag along and forced you into beating a poor man who’s only mistake was being at the wrong place at the wrong time, his screams and pleads for help still haunt your nightmares, but at the time you were just too afraid of the look Alex gave you, he didn’t even need to threaten you with anything, you knew hell would be released upon you if you didn’t follow his orders.

How you had been able to put up with everything for so long? that’s a question that keeps you up at night; perhaps it was because he knew when to take two steps back with you and treat you just as kindly as he had done in the beginning, it was those moments of fleeting but intoxicating tenderness that kept you by his side, even when you found out he had even cheated on you multiple occasions.

You had broken up with him more than once, but the only thing he needed was to say sorry, get a bit emotional, perhaps even give you some flowers and you’ll be back easily. And in your now torn apart mind, you loved that; the aftermath of the breakup had now become the only moment in the relationship where you were truly happy as sad as that might be.

And now here you are, panicking because two whole months have passed and he hasn’t come to see you.

Yes, it’s true that for the past month and a half you took to visit your sick aunt who lives in another city entirely; not because you cared about her fragile state, at least not entirely (you were hardly familiarized with her, having only seeing her 5 times in your whole life) but because then again, your torn mind found a worryingly amount of  pleasure in the thought of Alex finding out about you leaving and then…what he’ll do then when he couldn’t reach you to ask you to take him back? oh, the fantasies your mind infected with both feelings of adoration, sadness and a desire for a bit of vengefulness create; every night as you laid on the sofa near your aunt’s bed you wonder…How did his face look at the moment he found out about your departure? had he brought you your favorite flowers, climbed all the way to your bedroom window only to find nothing? had he threatened your poor brother for information on your whereabouts? and when he denied him such information (as you had instructed him to) would he have grown desperate? paranoid? mad with the idea that perhaps you had found someone else? or maybe, just maybe he finds your location and comes looking for you? you relish on the idea, knowing deep down it’s just not going to happen, it would be too much of an effort and too much of a hit to his ego doing so, but one can dream, right?

But as you arrived back in town you were met with nothing but disappointment; according to your brother, Alex didn't even come to your house much less spoke to him nor your parents, neither he came looking for you the days after; to say that was a low blow to your own ego would be an understatement, and as you sit there, in your pajamas, body almost completely submerged between the sheets and shaking as you allow yourself to snivel, all the while your intrusive thoughts swallow you whole: What did you expect? for him to actually be waiting for you? for him to come running the second you came back? for him to say how much he missed you, how he can’t live without you, how he knows he hurt you once again by cheating on you…again, how he hates seeing you sad and from now on things would really be different this time around? for him to love you? What is there to love? he was right, you were always too dramatic, too sensitive, too weak; he must’ve finally grown tired of you and left to find someone better.

You don’t know when you fell asleep, time hasn’t been something you’re keenly aware of at the moment; it takes you a few seconds to get past the headache that falls over you like a ton of bricks as you open your eyes, you feel your face stiff, probably because of the tears and then slowly begins to dawn on you: faint as ever, a small knock on your bedroom window. You lay still for a few moments, second guessing if what you’re hearing is true or not, only when it happens again is that you’re sure it’s real and as soon as you do, you hurry past your bedsheets, heading straight for the window.

There he is, looking straight at you with an expression you can't quite pinpoint; he’s not wearing that hellish white attire instead opting for regular clothes, his hands in hiding as he tucks them in the pockets of his pants and gives you a small almost invisible smile. It’s a unspoken agreement between the two of you, once he shows up at your window you help him climb up and into your bedroom just like the very first time; and that’s what you do, almost entirely out of instinct you tie and let the large cloth fall so he can make his way to your heart once more.

You find yourself unable to look him in the eye once he’s right in front of you, tension thick in the air you feel unable to breathe properly as his gaze does nothing but seek yours.

“You left this at my home” he finally declares, voice barely above a whisper and you pick up on his serious tone as he abandons his usual cheerful and taunting manner of speech. He presents you with a necklace and as it dangles lightly in front of your face you recognize it: is the necklace he gave you on your 2nd anniversary, he knew you had taken quite a liking to Basil so he gifted you the necklace with a pendant of a snake resembling Basil.

You reach for the necklace in his hand slowly, but he pulls it away lightly before you’re able to take it, this earns him a confused look on your part but alas you’re finally making direct eye contact which is what he was aiming for. You feel as if his vibrant blue eyes bore into your soul and that’s enough for your heart to start beating so loudly it plays into your own ears and as he moves forward you wonder if he can hear it.

He reaches his hand carefully to your hair, lightly brushing it aside as he allows himself to put the necklace on you once more, once he has finished he once again brushes your hair gently back in place all the while maintaining eye contact.

He gazes at you so softly this time, as if even the tiniest speck of dust could break you and sadly enough you feel like it just might. you feel so exhausted as your eyes and chest still burn with pain after crying for so long.

“Darling” he utters in what comes off as a sigh “you have no idea how much I’ve missed you” his words come slowly as he closes the distance between you little by little.

Somewhere in the back of your mind you snort in laughter at those words as you have lost count of how many times he had spoken them; but all that manages to break through is an incredulous smile on your part as you struggle to maintain eye contact once more. He takes note of your expression and acts on it quickly, lifting your face by your chin ever so softly.

“I know I messed up, that I've hurt you, there’s no denying that.” he admits “That’s why I´ve come here, to make things right, to apologize.”

You shake your head slightly, as if in denial and wanting to get rid of all those intrusive thoughts that slowly creep up into your mind as he speaks.

“Love, I am so sorry for what I did to you, to us.” Oh no, here he goes. “I know there’s nothing I can do to change what I did nor can I force you to stay with me after all you’ve been through.” He emphasizes his words as he drips emotion into them, almost as if he is at the verge of sobbing.

“You are the only one who has ever understood and cared for me, no one else has loved me the way you do.” silent tears begin to dance dangerously in the corners of your eyes.

“I didn’t realize just how wonderful I had it with you, you’re probably the only thing I have ever felt this strongly for.” Your eyes betray you and the tears you’ve been holding begin to slip, he catches on quickly and so he places a hand near your cheek and begins to wipe your tears ever so sweetly with his thumb.

“Y/N If your wish is for me to leave you alone, I promise I will do so, even if my heart can’t bear it…but if you allow me, just this once; I swear to you…dearest, I’ll make things better.” The determination in his words paired with that sickly sweet emotional delivery do nothing but disarm you for the final blow.

As he leans forward once more, gently places your head in between his hands and joins your forehead against his while still caressing your cheeks with his thumbs he whispers: 

“I love you Y/N.”

And that’s all he needs to break you, you fall apart in his arms as quickly as those words leave his mouth, you’re a bawling mess and somehow you still have tears left to shed.

But you’re not crying because you believe for even a second that what he just said to you is true and you are so touched by it, no, you’re not that foolish. You know better than anyone that those are nothing but empty words, a perfectly timed and rehearsed monologue that he tells to every other girl under his spell the second he starts to feel like they have begun to slip away.

You’re crying because you’re crying because there is no strength left in you to fight back, you’re crying because his affections and the seek for his approval have become like a drug to you, you’re crying because Alex has consumed all of your life at this point, you don't even remember what life before him was like, You’re crying because at this point you’re utterly and completely alone, you abandoned your friends and fractured your family ties so badly nothing would be the same any more, you are crying because you’ll play along in this twisted game he has trapped you in, at least for now; you’re just not ready to let go, not yet; but as you lay there, in the aftermath, as he holds you tightly, you pray one day you will.

[camillasgirl]

A speech by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall at a Violence Against Women and Girls Event at the Kigali Convention Centre, Rwanda

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a huge pleasure to be here with you today.  I should, first, like to thank the people of Rwanda for the wonderful welcome that my husband and I have received.  I have heard the saying, “God spends the day elsewhere, but he always spends the night in Rwanda” – and, having seen a little of this beautiful country and experienced your hospitality, I can quite understand why that might be the case…  Thank you for your kindness and generosity to us and to the whole Commonwealth family – we were all so sorry not to be able to gather here over the past two years and are delighted that we are now, finally, together.

Yesterday, my husband and I visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial:  the final resting place for more than a quarter of a million men, women and children.  Our guide, who had lost both his parents in the Genocide against the Tutsi, spoke to us of how, in the wake of those appalling, unfathomable events, the people of Rwanda have embraced peace and reconciliation.  And he described, with gentleness and humility, how we all have a personal responsibility to fight the discrimination and ideologies that lead to the destruction of others.  It is in that same spirit of encouraging personal responsibility that I wish to speak today about a different evil that has led to the death of many thousands:  violence against women and girls.

The figures are shocking.  Globally, nearly 1 in 3 women have been abused in their lifetime.  In times of crisis, the numbers rise, as they have, dramatically, during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Across the Commonwealth, calls to domestic violence helplines have increased by up to 500% over the past two years. Whether we are aware of it or not, we all know someone who has endured sexual or domestic abuse.  We can, therefore, all be part of combatting these heinous acts.  

On International Women’s Day earlier this year, I was profoundly touched by President Kagame’s powerful message on social media, which read, “Equality is a right, not a favour”.  We know that Rwanda is ranked 7th in the world in terms of women’s rights and opportunities.  So let us bear His Excellency’s words in mind as we focus on violence in the home against women and girls today and remember that we are seeking rights, not favours.

We are seeking rights that have been denied to women and girls in every part of the world:  Joanna Simpson in the UK, beaten to death by her husband while their two small children were in the next room; Noreen in Pakistan, whose husband, a drug addict, routinely abused her and alternately threw her out of the house or forbade her to go outside; and Uwaila Vera Omozuwa, murdered in Nigeria as she studied in church.

These stories are heart-breaking.  But, given the statistics I have just quoted, they are, sadly, not unusual.  

Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here with one purpose - to find solutions.  It is surely significant that every single member state has unanimously agreed to support the “Commonwealth Says NO MORE” campaign and to implement initiatives to prevent domestic violence and sexual abuse.  

There is power in this alliance.  In the strength of our unity, we, the women and men of the Commonwealth, stand with victims and survivors, who, despite the temptation to hide away in silence, speak up so that others know they aren’t alone – whether in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific or the Caribbean and Americas.  In so doing, we have the opportunity to end gender-based violence and those laws and practices that discriminate against women.  And each one of us must take personal responsibility not to let this opportunity be lost.

I should like to close by quoting from a speech given 75 years ago by my mother-in-law, The Queen, in Cape Town. As we work together, let us be inspired by Her Majesty’s words, her example and her deep love for the Commonwealth, which, in 2009, Rwanda joined as a new partner and friend.

"If we all go forward together with an unwavering faith, a high courage, and a quiet heart, we shall be able to make of this ancient Commonwealth, which we all love so dearly, an even grander thing - more free, more prosperous, more happy and a more powerful influence for good in the world."

Thank you.

[certifiedceraunophile]

COVID INDIA EMERGENCY

So my blog is now flood with posts about covid India mostly just posts spreading awareness with donation links and articles that tell you exactly where we stand as a country that has a population that’s decreasing by the hundreds DAILY.

I think I’ll only be reblogging posts about the current crisis at hand for a while.....I don’t have much to say other than that this country is dying, the major cities and industrial/economic hubs of India are affected the worse, and the ruling party is doing next to nothing to curb the situation. I’ve tried to donate as much as I can and now I will try and pester my parents who have better resources to do the same, anything at all will go a long way to save the lives of people the govt has forsaken entirely. We are for the most part helpless and on our own. The youth’s  effort to stabilize resources and distribute it to people in need is as far as we can claim that any substantial steps have been taken to control and cushion the pandemic and the govt has played NO PART IN THIS EFFORT AT ALL.

Please if you can DONATE/ REBLOG/ SIGNAL BOOST please do;

Here are a few links,  there’s everything from Remdesivir, oxygen cylinders to meals that might help you.

Tap on the link of your state to directly jump to the list-

1. Delhi-NCR

2. Uttar Pradesh: Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad,

3. Maharashtra: Mumbai, Pune, Thane

4. Resources related to COVID-19 in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Ranchi, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and other states can be accessed with a tap on this link  (or tapping the state name itself for another website) for more state specific resources

5. Check the status of hospital beds in Bangalore, Belgaum here

6. Direct link for all the states and cities for more state specific resources

7. Blog of consolidated information on empty hospital beds, oxygen cylinders, information on plasma etc

8. resources for Remdesivir

9. Twitter search for covid

List of websites for information on plasma donation:

covidplasma.online/

https://dhoondh.com

http://needplasma.in/

Coronavirus has infected 2,95,041 people in India and left 2,023 dead in the last 24 hours, in a grim new record for the country. The total number of deaths has increased to 1,82,553 after the huge one-day spike.

REBLOG. DONATE. SIGNAL BOOST

Extended list of resources

For Tamil Nadu especially Chennai

COVID RELIEF OPEN SOURCE REQUEST TRACKER

Post by @more-like-reyna for covid Twitter search, SOS covid resources and spreadsheet for state specific resources

IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANYMORE LINKS FOR RESOURCES/HELPLINES/RESOURCE TRACKERS/ ETC PM ME OR MESSAGE ME WITH THE LINKS SO THAT I CAN ADD IT TO THE LIST

REBLOG. DONATE. SIGNAL BOOST

Extended resources-2

Twitter thread with list of resource links

Another link for a comprehensive list of India wide resources

Nation-wide crowdsourced info about Covid Resources. (sos) covid

THANK YOU FOR THE LINKS THAT ARE BEING SENT, PLEASE SEND MORE AND REBLOG WITH NEW LINKS.

REBLOG. SIGNAL BOOST.

[puttingherinhistory]

“Covid has unleashed the most severe setback to women’s liberation in my lifetime. While watching this happen, I have started to think we are witnessing an outbreak of disaster patriarchy.

Naomi Klein was the first to identify “disaster capitalism”, when capitalists use a disaster to impose measures they couldn’t possibly get away with in normal times, generating more profit for themselves. Disaster patriarchy is a parallel and complementary process, where men exploit a crisis to reassert control and dominance, and rapidly erase hard-earned women’s rights. (The term “racialized disaster patriarchy” was used by Rachel E Luft in writing about an intersectional model for understanding disaster 10 years after Hurricane Katrina.) All over the world, patriarchy has taken full advantage of the virus to reclaim power – on the one hand, escalating the danger and violence to women, and on the other, stepping in as their supposed controller and protector.

I have spent months interviewing activists and grassroots leaders around the world, from Kenya to France to India, to find out how this process is affecting them, and how they are fighting back. In very different contexts, five key factors come up again and again. In disaster patriarchy, women lose their safety, their economic power, their autonomy, their education, and they are pushed on to the frontlines, unprotected, to be sacrificed. 

Part of me hesitates to use the word “patriarchy”, because some people feel confused by it, and others feel it’s archaic. I have tried to imagine a newer, more contemporary phrase for it, but I have watched how we keep changing language, updating and modernising our descriptions in an attempt to meet the horror of the moment. I think, for example, of all the names we have given to the act of women being beaten by their partner. First, it was battery, then domestic violence, then intimate partner violence, and most recently intimate terrorism. We are forever doing the painstaking work of refining and illuminating, rather than insisting the patriarchs work harder to deepen their understanding of a system that is eviscerating the planet. So, I’m sticking with the word. 

In this devastating time of Covid we have seen an explosion of violence towards women, whether they are cisgender or gender-diverse. Intimate terrorism in lockdown has turned the home into a kind of torture chamber for millions of women. We have seen the spread of revenge porn as lockdown has pushed the world online; such digital sexual abuse is now central to domestic violence as intimate partners threaten to share sexually explicit images without victims’ consent. 

The conditions of lockdown – confinement, economic insecurity, fear of illness, excess of alcohol – were a perfect storm for abuse. It is hard to determine what is more disturbing: the fact that in 2021 thousands of men still feel willing and entitled to control, torture and beat their wives, girlfriends and children, or that no government appears to have thought about this in their planning for lockdown. 

In Peru, hundreds of women and girls have gone missing since lockdown was imposed, and are feared dead. According to official figures reported by Al Jazeera, 606 girls and 309 women went missing between 16 March and 30 June last year. Worldwide, the closure of schools has increased the likelihood of various forms of violence. The US Rape Abuse and Incest National Network says its helpline for survivors of sexual assault has never been in such demand in its 26-year history, as children are locked in with abusers with no ability to alert their teachers or friends. In Italy, calls to the national anti-violence toll-free number increased by 73% between 1 March and 16 April 2020, according to the activist Luisa Rizzitelli. In Mexico, emergency call handlers received the highest number of calls in the country’s history, and the number of women who sought domestic violence shelters quadrupled. 

To add outrage to outrage, many governments reduced funding for these shelters at the exact moment they were most needed. This seems to be true throughout Europe. In the UK, providers told Human Rights Watch that the Covid-19 crisis has exacerbated a lack of access to services for migrant and Black, Asian and minority ethnic women. The organisations working with these communities say that persistent inequality leads to additional difficulties in accessing services such as education, healthcare and disaster relief remotely. 

In the US, more than 5 million women’s jobs were lost between the start of the pandemic and November 2020. Because much of women’s work requires physical contact with the public – restaurants, stores, childcare, healthcare settings – theirs were some of the first to go. Those who were able to keep their jobs were often frontline workers whose positions have put them in great danger; some 77% of hospital workers and 74% percent of school staff are women. Even then, the lack of childcare options left many women unable to return to their jobs. Having children does not have this effect for men. The rate of unemployment for Black and Latina women was higher before the virus, and now it is even worse. 

The situation is more severe for women in other parts of the world. Shabnam Hashmi, a leading women’s activist from India, tells me that by April 2020 a staggering 39.5% of women there had lost their jobs. “Work from home is very taxing on women as their personal space has disappeared, and workload increased threefold,” Hashmi says. In Italy, existing inequalities have been amplified by the health emergency. Rizzitelli points out that women already face lower employment, poorer salaries and more precarious contracts, and are rarely employed in “safe” corporate roles; they have been the first to suffer the effects of the crisis. “Pre-existing economic, social, racial and gender inequalities have been accentuated, and all of this risks having longer-term consequences than the virus itself,” Rizzitelli says. 

When women are put under greater financial pressure, their rights rapidly erode. With the economic crisis created by Covid, sex- and labour-trafficking are again on the rise. Young women who struggle to pay their rent are being preyed on by landlords, in a process known as “sextortion”. 

I don’t think we can overstate the level of exhaustion, anxiety and fear that women are suffering from taking care of families, with no break or time for themselves. It’s a subtle form of madness. As women take care of the sick, the needy and the dying, who takes care of them? Colani Hlatjwako, an activist leader from the Kingdom of Eswatini, sums it up: “Social norms that put a heavy caregiving burden on women and girls remain likely to make their physical and mental health suffer.” These structures also impede access to education, damage livelihoods, and strip away sources of support.

Unesco estimates that upward of 11 million girls may not return to school once the Covid pandemic subsides. The Malala Fund estimates an even bigger number: 20 million. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, from UN Women, says her organisation has been fighting for girls’ education since the Beijing UN women’s summit in 1995. “Girls make up the majority of the schoolchildren who are not going back,” she says. “We had been making progress – not perfect, but we were keeping them at school for longer. And now, to have these girls just dropping out in one year, is quite devastating.” 

Of all these setbacks, this will be the most significant. When girls are educated, they know their rights, and what to demand. They have the possibility of getting jobs and taking care of their families. When they can’t access education, they become a financial strain to their families and are often forced into early marriages. 

This has particular implications for female genital mutilation (FGM). Often, fathers will accept not subjecting their daughters to this process because their daughters can become breadwinners through being educated. If there is no education, then the traditional practices resume, so that daughters can be sold for dowries. As Agnes Pareyio, chairwoman of the Kenyan Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Board, tells me: “Covid closed our schools and brought our girls back home. No one knew what was going on in the houses. We know that if you educate a girl, FGM will not happen. And now, sadly the reverse is true.” 

In the early months of the pandemic, I had a front-row seat to the situation of nurses in the US, most of whom are women. I worked with National Nurses United, the biggest and most radical nurses’ union, and interviewed many nurses working on the frontline. I watched as for months they worked gruelling 12-hour shifts filled with agonising choices and trauma, acting as midwives to death. On their short lunch breaks, they had to protest over their own lack of personal protective equipment, which put them in even greater danger. In the same way that no one thought what it would mean to lock women and children in houses with abusers, no one thought what it would be like to send nurses into an extremely contagious pandemic without proper PPE. In some US hospitals, nurses were wearing garbage bags instead of gowns, and reusing single-use masks many times. They were being forced to stay on the job even if they had fevers.

The treatment of nurses who were risking their lives to save ours was a shocking kind of violence and disrespect. But there are many other areas of work where women have been left unprotected, from the warehouse workers who are packing and shipping our goods, to women who work in poultry and meat plants who are crammed together in dangerous proximity and forced to stay on the job even when they are sick. One of the more stunning developments has been with “tipped” restaurant workers in the US, already allowed to be paid the shockingly low wage of $2.13 (£1.50) an hour, which has remained the same for the past 22 years. Not only has work declined, tips have also declined greatly for those women, and now a new degradation called “maskular harassment” has emerged, where male customers insist waitresses take off their masks so they can determine if and how much to tip them based on their looks. 

Women farm workers in the US have seen their protections diminished while no one was looking. Mily Treviño-Sauceda, executive director of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, tells me how pressures have increased on campesinas, or female farm workers: “There have been more incidents of pesticides poisonings, sexual abuse and heat stress issues, and there is less monitoring from governmental agencies or law enforcement due to Covid-19.” 

Covid has revealed the fact that we live with two incompatible ideas when it comes to women. The first is that women are essential to every aspect of life and our survival as a species. The second is that women can easily be violated, sacrificed and erased. This is the duality that patriarchy has slashed into the fabric of existence, and that Covid has laid bare. If we are to continue as a species, this contradiction needs to be healed and made whole. 

To be clear, the problem is not the lockdowns, but what the lockdowns, and the pandemic that required them, have made clear. Covid has revealed that patriarchy is alive and well; that it will reassert itself in times of crisis because it has never been truly deconstructed, and like an untreated virus it will return with a vengeance when the conditions are ripe. 

The truth is that unless the culture changes, unless patriarchy is dismantled, we will forever be spinning our wheels. Coming out of Covid, we need to be bold, daring, outrageous and to imagine a more radical way of existing on the Earth. We need to continue to build and spread activist movements. We need progressive grassroots women and women of colour in positions of power. We need a global initiative on the scale of a Marshall Plan or larger, to deconstruct and exorcise patriarchy – which is the root of so many other forms of oppression, from imperialism to racism, from transphobia to the denigration of the Earth. 

There would first be a public acknowledgment, and education, about the nature of patriarchy and an understanding that it is driving us to our end. There would be ongoing education, public forums and processes studying how patriarchy leads to various forms of oppression. Art would help expunge trauma, grief, aggression, sorrow and anger in the culture and help heal and make people whole. We would understand that a culture that has diabolical amnesia and refuses to address its past can only repeat its misfortunes and abuses. Community and religious centres would help members deal with trauma. We would study the high arts of listening and empathy. Reparations and apologies would be done in public forums and in private meetings. Learning the art of apology would be as important as prayer.

The feminist author Gerda Lerner wrote in 1986: “The system of patriarchy in a historic construct has a beginning and it will have an end. Its time seems to have nearly run its course. It no longer serves the needs of men and women, and its intractable linkage to militarism, hierarchy and racism has threatened the very existence of life on Earth.”

As powerful as patriarchy is, it’s just a story. As the post-pandemic era unfolds, can we imagine another system, one that is not based on hierarchy, violence, domination, colonialisation and occupation? Do we see the connection between the devaluing, harming and oppression of all women and the destruction of the Earth itself? What if we lived as if we were kin? What if we treated each person as sacred and essential to the unfolding story of humanity? 

What if rather than exploiting, dominating and hurting women and girls during a crisis, we designed a world that valued them, educated them, paid them, listened to them, cared for them and centred them?“

[aboutanancientenquiry]

The first editorial of Syllogos-Herodotus Journal

Syllogos 1 (2022) 12 October 2022

EDITORIAL

The first issue of any new journal must invite the obvious question: ‘why?’ In the case  of  Syllogos,  it  is  a  question  that  can  only  be  answered,  first,  by  a  story  of  origins.  The  journal  has  its  roots  in  an  online  seminar  series  that  began  in  the  context  of  the  first  COVID-19  lockdown  of  2020.  The  choice  of  Herodotus  as  a  focus  for  that  seminar  was  made  in  part  simply  because  of  his  centrality  in  the  study of antiquity, but also as a symbol: of the value of contact across boundaries and of a boundless intellectual curiosity. The seminar was intended to make up for  the  sudden  interruption  of  any  collective  research  activity  at  the  time,  but  also — aware, as we had to be, that there were more important concerns — as an expression of international fellowship. The warmth of the atmosphere that developed  in  that  unique  moment  has  persisted.  The  ‘Herodotus  Helpline’  has  now  taken on a more formal status as a charitable organisation with ‘members’. But it has always been conceived as — and we hope will remain — an antidote to more formal, established subject associations: a venue where free, frank and friendly dialogue is the norm, where all scholars and students of Herodotus and his world are welcomed and supported, and where ‘grandstanding’, ceremony or boorishness have no place. 

The trigger for us to give serious thought to publishing the results of our dialogue was a passing suggestion of Paul Demont’s: ‘can you not publish it?’ (Fittingly, the paper in question is one of the first published here.) The journal’s title Syllogos  (‘joint  discussion’,  assembly)  recalls  its  origins  in  the  collective  of  the  Helpline  seminar.  (The  word  σύλλογος  is  used  within  the  Histories,  for  example,  for  the  seven  conspirators  who  wrested  back  the  Persian  throne  from  the  false  Smerdis.)  But  the  journal’s  title  also  speaks  to  our  ambitions.  Syllogos  is  a  journal committed to the widest possible dialogue, the widest possible engagement with Herodotus and his world. Just as the Helpline has a world-wide membership, we  encourage  submissions  from  authors  from  any  language  tradition  or  back-ground; from any discipline; from established scholars and from those beginning their studies; from those with university affiliations or with none. 

Syllogos  is  also  intended  for  the  widest  possible  readership.  The  journal  is ‘open-access’ not only in the limited sense that there are no barriers (beyond internet  access)  to  reading  or  publishing,  but  also  in  the  kind  of  material  that  we  publish.  ‘Critical  round-ups’  (this  issue  includes  the  first  of  these  by  Alexander  Meeus)  survey  both  our  current  understanding  and  the  history  of  scholarship  on  particular  central  themes,  in  a  manner  which  is  readily  understandable  by  students  and  general  readers  as  well  as  scholars.  Everything  we  publish  will  be edited to avoid the jargon or unexplained abbreviations that too often render scholarly publications inaccessible to all but the initiated.  

Syllogos is also, finally, committed to honouring a plurality of voices. Echoing the polyphony of Herodotus’ text, we do not publish single reviews of important new publications; instead we invite multiple responses, and invite the authors to respond in turn. (This issue includes twin reviews, by Suzanne Marchand and Maren  Elisabeth  Schwab,  of  the  Herodotus  Encyclopaedia.)  Future  issues  will  offer  similar  reflections  on  the  most  significant  interpretations  of  past  decades,  both  those  that  are  widely  credited  as  influential  and  others  whose  importance  has perhaps been overlooked. 

That Syllogos has become a reality is the result again of a very collective effort.  First,  it  could  not  have  happened  without  the  support  of  a  number  of  institutions:   the   Christian-Albrechts   University   of   Kiel,   Columbia   University,   Sorbonne  Université,  the  Universities  of  Genova,  Leicester  and  St  Andrews,  Swarthmore College, the Association ‘Sauvegarde des enseignements littéraires’, and,  not  least,  the  Propylaeum  team  of  the  University  Library  of  Heidelberg  (especially,  Maria  Effinger,  Daniela  Jakob  and  Daniela  Wolf).  John  Marincola  (Histos), Douglas Field (the James Baldwin Review), and Anthony Cond (Liverpool University Press) all generously shared their experience and advice. Lida Cardozo Kindersley and John Mawby of the Cardozo Kindersley Workshop designed a new Greek typeface (Kindersley Greek) for exclusive use by Syllogos. Jenny Messenger (Atomic Typo), our typesetter, and Wong Tsz have made an immense contribution to the design of the journal, to the page and cover design respectively. 

Final  mention,  however,  must  go  to  two  figures  who  can  no  longer  be  thanked in person. P.J. Rhodes — a generous, authoritative presence at nearly all of the Helpline’s early meetings — helped to shape the journal’s style guidelines. (The rule that authors’ names are cited as they sign off their own work — by initials or  first  names  —  is  a  concession  to  Peter’s  robust  preference  for  the  use  of  initials.) Although Doris Post’s first passion was Sophocles, her warmth, enthusiasm and initiative were central to the initial planning of the journal — of which she was due to be production manager. (Each year from 2023, the journal will publish the winning essay of the Doris Post prize for early career researchers.) We hope that Syllogos will grow to become a fitting tribute to them both, to the generations of readers of Herodotus on whose contributions we are building, and to the Father of History himself. 

Paul Demont 

John Dillery

Francesca Gazzano

Thomas Harrison

Jan Haywood 

Elizabeth Irwin

Polly Low

Andreas Schwab

 Pietro Vannicell

Source: https://journals.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/index.php/syllogos/article/view/91137/85879