Author AA Abbott, known to her friends as Helen, has released her new novel ‘Bright Lies’ in time for White Ribbon Day to raise awareness on the cause.
White Ribbon Day, taking place today, is dedicated to men standing up and saying no to violence against women.
Bright Lies is a psychological thriller which highlights violence against women. The protagonist is an older man (David) who exploits a crush from a 12 year old girl (Emily).
The book is about how Emily is taken in by David and the ‘bright lies’ that he tells to get her on his side. She eventually realises what has been happening to her and escapes, she has to run for her life.
When asked about her roots to Birmingham and why she chose to set the novel in the city Abbott said:
“I set all of my books in Birmingham, I spend a lot of time in the city and I really like it. I know a lot about the area and I think it made the book more realistic, writing from my experiences of the area.”
Ex Police Detective from Avon and Somerset, Marie Wright believes young girls in abusive relationships are often naive as they “don’t understand” that what is happening to them is abuse.
“Men like David are really manipulative, they are looking for women that they can abuse. As you see in the book, Emily thinks he looks like someone out of one direction, she’s got a crush on him, which is how most cases tend to play out.”
Marie, Ex Police Officer
According to White Ribbon UK, during lockdown the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which ordinarily logs around 270 calls from women a day, saw an increase of 77% in June 2020.
Chris Green, founder of White Ribbon UK feels the responsibility is on men to raise awareness and make a change.
“White Ribbon Day is the UN a international Day to End Violence against Women and so is a great day to focus for Men to take action and challenge men’s violence against women –
Chris Green O.B.E., Founder of White Ribbon UK
It is our responsibility because 80% of interpersonal violence is inflicted by men on women.”
Find AA Abbott’s books here.
