David Cameron has a point, but he's doing it the wrong way

 Before I begin, I'll refer you to this article which goes through all the comments Prime Minister David Cameron made about Muslim women, First off, he assumes we are all immigrants and therefore didn't already know English. My mother is English and I was born and raised here. English is my first language. It's highly offensive to suggest that we don't know English when many of us have been getting on with our lives already knowing it. But I should get onto my main point.  David Cameron is doing the age old white person trying to save the poor coloured people thing. Its extremely patronising and even if there are people who need help, they're unlikely to reach out for it when it comes across like that. I know myself, I've been through it. I had someone ask me if my parents were holding me back. I denied everything because I didn't want to be seen as a victim.

The truth is I have been held back, by my own father, and my mother stayed quiet while he did it. I was extremely unhappy but felt I couldn't refuse him because I would end up getting in trouble. My dad is quite scary when he's angry with you. I would do anything to avoid that. I was taken out of school, I was told I wasn't allowed to become a hairdresser. I reluctantly let it all happen. I felt like I had no power. All throughout my mother stayed quiet. She says the same thing every time, that she can't speak because then my dad will turn his anger to her. Again and again I got upset. I see it happening with my sister now. She's doing her GCSE's. Opportunities are arising for her such as going out on trips with other teens, thinking about college to go to, what university she would like to attend. She keeps getting shot down, just like I did. She's not allowed away from home overnight, despite our brothers doing the same. She's not allowed to leave home for university, despite the fact my older brother did exactly that.

You'll see double standards like that all the time in Muslim communities. But what can anyone really do to stop it? It takes place behind closed doors. You can't save someone who isn't asking for help either, so they remain silent victims. I would hope any woman or girl who is having troubles at home will seek help because it doesn't do any good to keep on living with it. I'm 28 now and I regret so much. I'm only starting to live my life now, but its better late than never.

Remember if you're having troubles in your life, you can always speak to someone at Women's Aid. They have a 24/7 helpline and can refer you to a refuge if that's what's needed.