A member of the Diocese of Derby's Safeguarding Team has had her poetry selected to help highlight the national 16 Days of Activism campaign to end gender-based violence.

Sue Griffin, the diocese's safeguarding co-ordinator, wrote two poems about the horror and turmoil of abuse, which she knows all too much about after years of working in the social work and safeguarding industry.

She said: "I was in a meeting where there was a lot of talk about black eyes and bruises.

"I shouted up 'It's not just black eyes and bruises' at which point someone suggested it would be a good catchline for the campaign - and I decided to write a poem about it."

It’s not just black eyes and bruises

by Sue Griffin

The handsome man, the beautiful wife

A love affair, a family life,

Pressure grows, pleasure and woes,

Life’s events and sagas grow.

No peace, No love

No trust, no voice,

No money, No hope,

No time to be yourself.

The sideward glance,

The push, the punch,

The shout, the scream,

The No, you’re not!

You’re lucky – you should be grateful.

The fear, the isolation,

The pain, the desperation,

The control, the demands.

‘You’re mad’, ‘you’re fat’

‘You’re boring’, ‘you’re stupid’,

Who will listen, who cares?

It’s not just black eyes and bruises.

"The second poem, If You Told Me, was inspired by a campaign being run by our colleagues in the Diocese of Blackburn.

"For me, the messaging is the important thing - abuse doesn't only happen to women and writing about the underdog is important."

Sue said she has written poetry before but needs to feel inspired: "I like writing about people but I also find that having rhymes helps me to remember things.

"So generally a poem comes into my head and I put it down on paper.

"I try to come up with rhyming phrases and sometimes that can be frustrating; other times, though, the words just fall into place."

The 16 Days of Activism campaign runs until 10 December.

If you told me

by Sue Griffin

If you told me, I’d listen,

I’d try to understand,

If you told me,

I’d help you, with a future plan.

If you told me, I’d empower you,

I would stand by your side.

I’d respect your wishes.

Help restore your pride.

If you told me, I’d believe in you,

I’d show you that I cared.

If you told me, I’d be supportive,

Let you know someone was there.

If you told me, you’re ready,

You are growing strong,

You’re seeing things with clearer eyes

And know that things are wrong.

If you told me, you took a step,

A leap, to set you free

If you told me

I’d be there for you on your new journey.