In a moving interview with The Independent, English barrister and writer Cherie Blair explains why she is so dedicated to supporting victims of domestic abuse, opening up about how she was pushed down the stairs by a domestic abuser while representing his vulnerable victim.
The wife of former prime minister Sir Tony Blair said her attacker was out of control and clearly felt entirely justified in his attack on her, which took place when she was a young lawyer.
Blair also described her guilt after a client was killed by her abusive partner because she returned home as she had nowhere else to go. Recalling the attack on her, Blair said: “As a young barrister when I was in court and we got the [restraining] order against the perpetrator, as I came out of court, he followed me and he pulled me down the stairs in the court.
“I had to be rescued by the court staff because he was so out of control. He believed he was entitled to behave in that way, he was perfectly prepared to attack me.”
Blair spoke out as she backed The Independent’s and Refuge charity Brick by Brick campaign which aims to raise £300,000 to build a safe house for domestic abuse survivors, and highlighted the desperate need for more refuges to be built.
“I can always remember one client of mine who got relief from the court,” she said. “But afterwards, as I’m afraid happens, with nowhere else to go, she returned to the matrimonial home – she was killed by her partner.”
Detailing the devastating impact that the murder had on her, she said: “It was very difficult, I felt so guilty. Could I have done more? It has stuck with me and remains with me ever since, that tragedy.”
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, you can contact Refuge’s national domestic abuse helpline for free, confidential support at 0808 2000 247.
