Guest author
Louise Sherwood
Founder of Empowered Insights
Louise is a survivor of domestic abuse and coercive control. On Monj she writes about how abuse can target weight, food and appearance, and how she is rebuilding her health on her own terms.
About Louise
Louise lived through domestic abuse, coercive control and years of post-separation abuse. She spent many hours in the family courts, often representing herself.
She founded Empowered Insights to turn that experience into education, prevention and practical support. The organisation is survivor-led. Its work runs from talks in schools to training for the professionals survivors turn to.
Her series on Monj is a personal account of lived experience. It is not medical or legal advice.
Her series on Monj
Part 1
When Your Abuser Weaponises Your Appearance
How an abuser used weight, looks and shame as weapons, and how she began to see herself differently.
Read part 1Part 2
When Food Becomes a Tool of Control
Criticism in the kitchen, secret eating and learning to choose what is on your plate again.
Read part 2Part 3
My Surviving Era
Swimming, perimenopause, nutrition and finding support that encourages rather than shames.
Read part 3Part 4
From Surviving to Thriving
Small steps, progress you cannot measure on the scales, and trusting your own voice again.
Read part 4What Empowered Insights does
Education and prevention
Workshops and talks for schools, colleges, youth groups and workplaces, on spotting the signs early and what a healthy relationship looks like.
The Reconnect Project
Donated phones are wiped, made safe and passed to survivors through refuge partners. £10 sponsors a SIM so a phone can make calls.
Professional training
Training for people who meet survivors through their work, so they recognise abuse and know how to respond.
Find Louise online
empoweredinsights.co.ukAbout Empowered InsightsWhy Louise founded Empowered InsightsLinkedInInstagramFacebook
Louise's series is published on Monj with her permission. Monj is an independent price information service run by Medstack Ltd and does not sell, prescribe or supply medicines.
