October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it’s a time to shine a light into the shadows, to break the silence around abuse and to remind anyone living in fear that hope and healing are possible. That you can move from Silence to strength.
For too long, many of us have learned to keep quiet, to survive by silencing out pain, hiding the truth and shrinking ourselves just to stay safe. But silence, while it may protect us in the moment, also costs us something precious… Our Voice.
As a survivor myseld, I know that silence all too well. My story, now shared in my one-woman show Caught You In A Lie, is one of control, fear and isolation.. but also of courage, resilience and rebirth. The show tells the truth of what it means to survive abuse and how music, faith and self-expression became the keys that helped me heal and find freedom.
When I spoke my truth, I didn’t just survive I began to LIVE.
🌱The Journey From Silence to Freedom
Healing from abuse is not a single step; it’s a journey. One that takes time, patience and compassion. It begins with safety, then slowly moves into self-discovery, finding who you are beyond the pain, beyond what someone else told you, you were.
For me that journey inspired the creation of a new programme called UnMUTed, a safe and empowering space for women to rediscover their voices, rebuild confidence, and transform their pain into purpose. I also acknowledge that men become muted to, and there is a version of UnMUTed for men, currently this is 1-1, but if I get enough interest I am happy to change to a group.
The truth is, when you’ve been silenced for so long, speaking again and being heard again takes courage. But every time you do, a part of your souls returns, you begin to feel free, strong and whole again.
Being UnMUTed is not about speaking out loud, it’s about reclaiming your truth, your body, your power and your joy.
🎭The Power of Storytelling
Through Caught You In a Lie, I’ve seen how storytelling can transform both the teller and the listener. every night, when the lights dim and the music begins, I see women in the audience nodding, crying, holding hands, realising they are not alone.
And that’s what awareness is truly about.
Not just statistics or campaigns but connection.
One voice inspiring another to speak.
One story giving someone else permission to heal.
💜You Are Not Alone
If you or someone you know is living with domestic abuse, please know there is support available right now:
📞 National Domestic Abuse Helpline (24/7, free, confidential): 0808 2000 247
💻 www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
🏠 Women’s Aid Live Chat: https://chat.womensaid.org.uk
Help is just a phone call or message away. You are not to blame. You are not broken, You are not alone.
✨Finding Freedom
Thos Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I want to remind you that your story doesn’t end with survival.
It continues with freedom, with healing and when you find your voice, when you become UnMUTed.
Because when one woman rises, she gives others permission to rise too,💜
🎭 Caught You In a Lie. A story of truth, resilience and freedom.
📍Watford – 25 Oct | 📍London – 15 Nov | 📍Luton – 21 Nov
🎟️ https://yvonnemichele.com/caught-you-in-a-lie
Waitlist for UnMUTed
I’m just adding the finishing touches to the UnMUTed programme, but if you would like to be the first to hear about it, or know someone you think it might benefit, there is a waitlist to join, and you’ll be the first to hear the news. Just sign up using this LINK. The UnMUTed group sessions are currently only for women, as I said before there is a version of UnMUTed for men, it’s currently set up to run 1-1, but if the interest is there I can change it to a group programme, by signing up to the waitlist I can gauge what the need is when it comes to the mens version.
✍🏽About Yvonne
Yvonne is an award-winning empowerment coach, singer, author and transformational speaker who helps people rediscover their confidence, voice and power after trauma. Through her live performances, coaching and upcoming UnMUTed programme, she inspires women to turn [ain into purpose and live boldly, unapologetically and free.