Former Romford BGT semi-finalist wants schools to teach signs of domestic abuse

Becky O’Brien, 35, of Romford, spoke at this year’s Women’s Aid National Conference about the need for schools to provide lessons to teach children how to spot the signs of an abusive relationship.

She said: “People often choose partners that have similar characteristics to their own parents so if a child has grown up in a home where a partner is abusive, then they themselves are more likely to choose someone that will behave in the same way.

“We need to stop this pattern and the best way to do this is by educating children as soon as possible.”

The mum-of-five’s personal life soon caught the attention of the national media when she made it to the semi-finals of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent after she sung Somewhere Over the Rainbow at her audition.

Becky – an English teacher – married her ex-husband Stephen Moonesamy in 2009 but three days after giving birth to twins, he fractured her jaw while she was still in hospital.

He was given a suspended sentence for the attack in 2010.

She said: “It’s hard to describe how I felt during this time as I think I’ve grown quite numb.

“I do know that I was a completely different person back then to who I am now.

“I was constantly smoking to help me relieve some stress, I was losing my hair and I couldn’t express my own opinions without feeling scared.

“I was living in a nightmare and I didn’t know how to get out.”

Becky is keen to work alongside Women’s Aid, helping to encourage schools to teach children about relationships and signs of domestic abuse in sex education classes.

She said: “It is hard for people to see that they are in an abusive relationship because they are so close to that person.

“I didn’t even realise I was in that situation for a long time so I can relate.

“But if I was told from an early age what to look out for, then maybe things would have been different.

“I think we need to do more to help protect our children in the future.”