Jack Monroe: I was a victim of domestic abuse
Jack Monroe has come out as a victim of domestic violence.
The non-binary food writer revealed they were an anonymous interviewee in an article on LGBT violence published in 2016.
Writing on Twitter, Monroe said that someone was threatening to reveal the story.
“Someone is threatening to out something in my past they feel I should be ashamed of. So with a very deep breath, I’m doing it first.”
Jack Monroe (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images)
In the article, a person called Sam – who has now been revealed to be Jack Monroe – describes how they were raped and threatened with a knife while in a relationship in their early 20s.
The 2016 article quotes ‘Sam’ as saying: “How do you say to your friends, ‘My girlfriend rapes me’ when their only mental definition of rape is a man forcing his penis inside a woman’s vagina?
“How do you say you were assaulted when it comes back to the idea of ‘that doesn’t count’? Well, it does count.”
‘Sam’ also reveals an incident in which they were violently threatened, saying the girlfriend “produced what she told me was a knife and held it to my throat.”
In a tweet reflecting on the article Monroe said: “And at the time I remember being so scared of being identified by this article and what it contains.
“I remember being proud of the discussion it raised around LGBT violence yet simultaneously terrified I would be outed. Patrick was – and is – brilliant.”
The cook book author added that the person threatening them is not the person they mention in the article.
Jack has now thanked followers for their support following the news.
Their tweet read: “This is now one of the most read articles on Buzzfeed today.
“I’ve had hundreds of messages of support from fellow survivors – some of whom are seeking help for the first time. So, thank you all for your kindness.”
The news comes after Monroe won libel proceedings against Hopkins after she tweeted untrue claims about the vandalism of a war memorial.
Katie Hopkins has been forced to pay £24,000 in damages to the non-binary writer and £107,000 to cover legal fees.
Katie Hopkins (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
Hopkins took the case to Court of Appeal after she was rejected in April last year.
The court has also rejected the case – meaning the former Apprentice candidate must cough up the full costs and damages of the case.
Lady Justice Sharp wrote in her verdict: “In my opinion, none of the grounds raised has a real prospect of success, and there is no other compelling reason why an appeal should be heard.”
She added: “The application for permission to appeal is therefore refused.”
Hopkins now has no further right of appeal.
