A Job, the mutual exchange of labour for reward. Many years in England I worked tirelessly, wanting to achieve for myself and family, my organisation and in many respects communities. This contract although with my employers, was also part of a wider contract with the country. The provision of healthcare and education funded by my labours
. Then the sale of the country happened. Its listing as a company on companies house, made for a very real question. Sudddenly citizenship is being employed by the government. So in fact every aspect of life in England can be considered a fiscal arrangement. Therefore, this changed my view on what job I might do for free in the country.
This blog, a project for Uni was initially unpaid. The first time someone spoke to me about it, sharing their own realisation of past abuse, then others. Suddenly writing was not just a vanity project, it is a way of connecting and sharing about risks men present to society and women and children particularly. To save a life is a privilege beyond any other. To share and that help others to recover or identify trauma is also a huge privilege. One that is not about a financial reward.
Over the past three years preparing a file for the attacks and abuse I faced was unpaid, it felt like work. It was most certainly unpaid. When I made the journey to London a few weeks ago to present the file and give evidence for the first time in almost twenty years, I was not paid, it was not a job. However presenting evidence that clearly showed police officers who were prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to cover for the rapist felt like a duty. The more that evidence is heard and confirmed, the more likely change happens. The greatest change comes from inside.
In short, it was a duty. I have never been afraid to do my duty to my community, local national or world. Any financial compensation for the loss of my ability to work in England after the attacks, is not the primary purpose. It is however part of the recognition for the torture that I sustained. Some may say there is a fine line between a Job and a Duty. For me they are one and the same. Ordinarily there is pay, yet if there is any aspect that can save a life, make positive changes for safety in a community, that is something that there was into a requirement for me to be paid. Saving a life that is something I would do for free.