A DOMESTIC abuse survivor has received recognition from a national charity for her work helping other victims of trauma.

Shana Begum's life turned upside down after she was forced to flee another town because of honour-based domestic violence.

She arrived in Moss Bank in December 2018, far from where she was from, with her three children and a pram.

Since arriving in town, Shana, alongside her children Iysha, 16, Isaac, six and Sammy, four, has done all she can to raise awareness of domestic violence and help others to escape abuse.

Shana and her children were awarded The Family of the Year award at the 2019 Pride of St Helens Awards.

Shana is currently running five-week programmes across the borough sharing her techniques to overcome domestic abuse, as she herself survived more than 25 years of honour based trauma.

St Helens Star:

Shana and her children when they won The Pride of St Helens Family of the Year Award in 2019

Her work helping others has led her to be recognised by domestic abuse prevention charity SafeLives, and has been named their Star of the Month.

She said: "There is no shame in domestic abuse; my story has helped so many people.

"It is so important to raise awareness of domestic abuse because you don’t know who is experiencing it.

"Domestic abuse doesn’t discriminate, however, not everyone is confident about seeking help. Helping people now can help future generations to come.

"It was the ordinary people of St Helens who helped me achieve so much.

"These people who believe they are ordinary will always be extraordinary in my eyes.

"We can change this place, however we all need to do our bit. Be the change you wish to see.

"You can’t change the whole of St Helens in one go. However you can change one person at a time and that kindness will create a chain reaction that will change the whole of St Helens.

"Change starts with collaborative action and I'm so happy to be an active part of it all."

Shana is set to start her latest 'Best of me' programme at Pause St Helens, which is a group in Parr that works with those who have experienced, or are at risk of, repeat removals of children from their care.

It is set to start tomorrow,Thursday, February 27.