A biggg thank you to my good friend Kyle aka Vintage Royal Photography for having me as a Guest on his Podcast.
Click the link below to hear us share about our views on Homelessness, Mental Health and much more!
Bandyup Women's Prison - Guest Speaker
On Thursday 26th November 2020 I got to check something meaningful to me off my bucket list; having been granted the opportunity to present a talk at a Prison. I was invited by Kedy Kristal of WA Women’s Council of Domestic and Family Violence Services, to talk at Bandyup Women’s Prison in light of the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence.
The Event took place in one of the Prison’s main communal areas where I was joined by a few other Guest Speakers and members of the Community. Afterwards we, along with the Prisoners, silently marched around the Prison campus in remembrance for all those who had tragically lost their lives to Domestic Violence. This was followed by a light afternoon tea, where I got to sit with various Prisoners and converse with them, get to know a little about their passions; whether it be art or drawing or reading and bond with them on a more personal level.
The experience itself was so heartfelt, overwhelming, eye opening and one I will never forget. Having been able to share my story in front of numerous prisoners & Police Officers, then to have the chance to engage with various prisoners & have day to day conversations with them. This is a moment I will cherish forever…
IFW Press Conference Feature
A big shout out to International Foundation of Women for this Press Conference Feature circulated on my Advocacy work for the Homeless.
Rise Today.com Podcast Interview
On September 15th 2020 I had the privilege of being invited by Dr Erica Harris; Founder of Rise Today.com as a Guest on her Podcast.
Dr Erica Harris whom has a remarkable and empowering story herself, is changing lives through her brand Rise Today.com. The Rise Today Inspirational Podcast aims to empower you to use your adversity to move to greatness. Here Erica and her team create a space to open up the conversation about hard days and hardships, and they strive to change the lens you choose to use to see your world.
Click the link below to watch the Interview.
Thank you again Erica for the opportunity and for inviting me on the Podcast.
Unleashed Potential Podcast Interview
On Saturday 11th July I had the privilege of being invited by Abdullahi Haji as a Guest for an Interview on Unleashed Potential’s Podcast. Click the link below to watch the Interview where you will see us discuss everything from the work I do and what I stand for, Domestic Violence and “Divorce”.
Thank you again Unleashed Potential for the opportunity! Please check out the brother’s channel, they are doing amazing work and speaking on important topics that produce much needed knowledge and awareness.
Grief Bully Podcast Interview
J Nicole Jones is the author of the successful guided journal “The Grief Bully” and educates people on how to create a healthier, thriving and manageable grief journey. In addtion, the New Jersey native, is the host and producer of The Grief Bully Podcast. The podcast serves as a vehicle to help the audience navigate their grief, mental health and overall personal wellness.
On the 2nd June I had the pleasure of being invited onto the Grief Bully Podcast to discuss my father’s recent passing. Even though it was hard to speak on, I still felt comfortable in doing so and in a way, it was somewhat healing and of course, empowering. Thank you again to J Nicole for the encouragement and opportunity.
Click the link below to listen and watch the episode.
Sister Project FB LIVE Interview : My Domestic Violence & Rape Story
On Thursday May 14th I was invited by Sister Project for a Facebook Live Interview where I was asked to share my story of having lived and survived Domestic Abuse and Rape. We then further discussed my reasonings as to how I believe cultural and religious differences could influence how we respond when faced with such a relationship. Thank you Traci for having me be a part of such an empowering morning.
To watch the full Interview simply click the link below.
Sister Project is a not-for-profit social enterprise, based in Ellenbrook, Perth. Through connection, skill-sharing and entrepreneurship, their mission is to support and empower women from diverse backgrounds to improve their confidence, mental wellbeing and sense of belonging. Sister Project meet weekly, hold English classes and workshops where women can teach and learn new skills. They actively assist women to look for work or set up their own business.
Sister Project is also a platform where migrant women can sell their art, craft and cooking to members of the community through markets and through social media. Sister Project takes a wholistic approach to supporting women so that they are strengthened to look after themselves and their loved ones.
ABC Radio Perth Interview
Shout out to ABC Radio Perth for inviting me on the show to briefly discuss my feelings on the new Restraining Order policies that have been put in place under new laws introduced by the McGowan Labor Government, as well as having shared some of my own DV story in brief.
To listen to the mini Interview click the link below.
Love What Matters NYC Feature
A huge shout out to LOVE WHAT MATTERS New York for reaching out to me for this feature. To read the full article click the link below.
HTTPS://WWW.LOVEWHATMATTERS.COM/I-WAS-CONSTANTLY-TOLD-HOW-UGLY-I-WAS-THAT-I-WAS-USELESS-IF-I-WOULDNT-BE-ABLE-TO-CONCEIVE-CHILDREN-AS-I-STARTED-TO-HATE-HIM-I-STARTED-TO-HATE-MYSELF-MORE-WOMAN-ESCAPES-ABUSIVE/
Headed Somewear DV Awareness Panel
A huge shout out to Nida of Headed Somewear for having reached out to me to be a part of this empowering project she had put together for October’s Domestic Violence Awareness month.
Having endured various forms of DV throughout my life thus far, I knew the day would come where I would finally be brave enough to speak out & it was then that I made it my intention to help as many other women around the world as I could.
Our voices NEED to continue being heard in order to provide strength & courage to those who need it, to educate the ignorant & the unknown & to help break the vicious cycle.
Attn.com Feature
Shout out to @attndotcom for this feature. From June 2017 til now, by God, I have assisted 8 women in escaping their DV relationships & starting a new life away from their former abuser.
I never once have proclaimed to be a Psychiatrist nor a Councillor, all I have is my voice and my story & with that I’m driven & passionate to continue inspiring, giving strength, courage & a voice to women around the world whom are suffering Domestic Violence.
I’ll never stop using my voice to speak out in hopes of educating those without knowledge of DV & in hopes in making social change 💜🙏🏼 Below is the video feature.
“SUKCES JEST KOBIETĄ” Annual Heroine Magazine Poland
A HUGE THANK YOU to Sukces Jest Kobieta for featuring little old me as their 1st Non- Polish Influential Woman in their Annual Magazine!! Your girl got a THREE page spread HOLLAAAAA 😉
Each year Sukces Jest Kobieta publish this glamorous magazine which features an array of inspiring female Polish CEO’s, Social Workers, Teacher’s, POP Stars & other women making changes in society = FEMALE POWER
So how did this amazing opportunity come about? Shortly after my BBC feature had aired in July 18, I came across an Article that Sukces Jest Kobieta had written about me and the work that I do for abused women. One of their Journalists; Michal Karis then reached out to me wanting to put together another Article about me, however this time in the form of an Interview.
And so it began, emails back and forth every few days answering questions and more new questions discussing Women’s Unity Movement, Body Beautiful International, Islam, DV and my views on society topics. After a few months Michal advised me of Sukces Jest Kobieta’s Annual Heroine Magazine and how he would love to have my Article featured in the Magazine. I was so intrigued by the Magazine concept and so honoured to have been asked about having my Article published in the Magazine, as opposed to on their website.
I’m so grateful to have been seen by Sukces Jest Kobieta & chosen for an in-depth Interview. Below is a copy of my Interview, I hope you all enjoy it!
**Please excuse any ill formed words as their website has automatically translated it to English as best as it could.
One of your goals – whether through Women’s Unity Movement or through media appearances – is to support women. At the same time, you are a Muslim convert to Islam. Meanwhile, this religion is considered to treat women subjectively. What does it look like in your eyes?
Natasha Medlar, Founder of Women’s Unity Movement: Many people in Australia look at me strangely or question how could I change to this religion at all. Why I didn’t stay a Catholic. Unfortunately, there is a media image that doesn’t make it easy to be a Muslim. We are constantly criticized, wrongly judged or stereotyped based on what the minority is doing. I would divide people into three simplified groups: those who understand Islam; those who are against Islam but do not have factual knowledge of religion itself; those who also do not have knowledge of Islam but are open to obtaining it.
Islam has come with a revolutionary message that raises the status of women, giving them equality in faith and worship. Of course, in Islam men are presented as the hosts and guardians of women, but – in relation to the foundations of Islam – duties and rewards are equally for women and men. Few people know about it, but Islam has granted women rights centuries before the Western world. As the first religion, he gave us the right to own property and inheritance. So, it is difficult today to accept the fact that today we Muslims have to fight for our rights when we received the first one about 1500 years ago. Many men choose from the Koran only what is best for them to force women to dominate. That is why believers of other religions perceive Islam in this way. But we, Islamic women, are brave, belligerent and the fact that – for example – we cover part of the body, it does not diminish us. Me and many women in the world are an example of this.
Undoubtedly, Muslim women are brave, but also some Muslim countries today force them to have this courage, denying the rights of citizens of other countries. Do you personally see radical interpretations of Islam as a threat?
Absolutely! Such situations particularly help feed the stereotypes of others, say ignorant people, about Islam itself. This is a threat to us all as a public. Everything that is done by force – even for the best intentions, regardless of whether we are talking about the West or Islamic countries – should be considered inaccurate and cannot be praised.
We’ve talked about Islam seriously, but it also has a more frivolous edition. You belong to the so-called hijabistas (a combination of hijab and the word fashionista – editor’s note). So you combine your religion with fashion and have fun at the same time.
Haha yes! Even before changing my religion, I loved to dress: American fashion, bold prints, colorful clothing. After switching to Islam, I see no reason to give it up, of course, apart from covering my body in accordance with the rules I adopted. I am often complimented on Instagram and on the streets by non-Muslim women, which is a source of some satisfaction. That the choice of a scarf or the way it is tied, or the way in which I am fully covered yet still fashionable can still be admired and seen as inspiring. In a way, it’s breaking the barrier, telling people about Islam. Some people assume that covering the body is a boring, fashion-resistant duty to cover yourself with only black, but it is not!
And your greatest work, Women’s Unity Movement was founded just over a year ago. What are the assumptions of such and how do you assess the beginning of operations?
Women’s Unity Movement is an international organization that I started alone and its success over the past year and a half is a massive blessing for me. The goal of the Women’s Unity Movement is to bring women of different denominations, ages, ethnicities and experiences closer together so that we can truly unite.
I aim to promote social change through women’s support, love for each other, education about how to differ between us and at the same time celebrating diversity amongst each community. The means to an end is the organization of events – somewhat elegant but also cheerful – exclusively for women every two or three months. So far there have been eight in Australia and one in Los Angeles. There are 60 to over 100 women with a very diverse identity at one time.
As part of Women’s Unity Movement I run the Body Beautiful International project, which is not only about supporting women, but also about self-love and self-confidence. For the celebration of our origin, skin tone, shapes, sizes. In other words, the goal is to redefine the stereotypical perception of beauty in the media to represent all women in the world. For this project, the point is for each participant to be an inspiration to the younger generation, but also to peers and the wider community, being a more realistic reference point in terms of beauty.
So far I have prepared video and photographic projects as part of Body Beautiful International in New York and Los Angeles, and in December I will be implementing another one in Malaysia. From the beginning of starting Women’s Unity Movement, I have been trying to make the initiative reach global reach, which is why I still have many more Countries to visit and capture in these projects.
Body Beautiful International sounds wonderful as an idea. But you don’t have the impression that you are alone against the whole world? The media or fashion industry is based on these deep-rooted stereotypes of female beauty. Although wrong, or maybe too narrow, they are certainly strong and it will be difficult to change them.
This is obviously a huge effort, very stressful, but also a lot of satisfaction. Fashion and the media are constantly changing, and undoubtedly a significant part of the changes is a response to the expectations of the audience – what we want to watch. That is why we see a growing variety in terms of skin color, size, origin and so on. It’s beautiful and a “trend” so let’s enjoy it.
I would like to help women of all generations – but especially teenagers who are most exposed to pressure from the society in how they should look, dress and act. I aim to encourage them through my work to love themselves and what they are like. It is just such a change to get rid of the stigma and find young women more attainable patterns than those on television, in music videos and on social media. That is why I carefully choose who participates in the Body Beautiful International projects.
You just noticed something very important in Instagram. This medium is often considered the habitat of vanity and self-abuse. However, you mentioned the responsibility for reaching many people through social media. On the one hand, you produce content yourself, on the other you get a lot of reaction and you answer it yourself. It’s titanic work, how do you deal with it?
To be honest, it’s really very hard alone, having some life outside of social media and the women I assist in relation to DV- in addition – a full time job in administration, planning and running the Events and organising the Homeless drives. Even to take a photo session, sometimes it is difficult to find time.
I always try to devote a lot of time to my followers, I reply to all messages, relevant comments and questions under each post, and view their content and interact. Regardless of the number of followers, I always try to respond to messages in a decent timeframe. If someone took their time to reach me, then I should find time and return the gesture. Some are impatient, but I try not to reproach myself anymore if I can’t always manage – I only have as much time as I have, so I answer whom and when I can.
You also get these really tough messages, from scared women whom you impressed with courage. You told about a nightmare of violence, eight years in a toxic relationship that you managed to escape. How it was?
To tell you the truth, when I look back, I am surprised that I did not come up with my “big plan” at an earlier stage of the relationship. But I couldn’t, it wasn’t the time yet: I was too much in love, too weak and gullible to break free and it wasn’t part of God’s plan. After having tried everything, I realized that the only way to leave such a relationship alive (literally!) was to play his cards. Manipulating him, feeding him lies similar to his lies. And quietly, I was looking for a safe shelter and planned my escape.
It seems that for many women – victims of violence – just having a plan would be too risky, at least in their eyes. Anyway, the aggressive partner’s goal is to dominate so that the woman can’t see the way out. At some stage, however, women decide to write to you asking for help. When?
Each case is different, although many have a similar course. I divide them into three groups. The first one is women writing after the appearance of the first acts of violence by a partner. They think “maybe I am also in a violent relationship, can he behave like that towards me?” And write for advice. In the second set, there are women who need confirmation that he will not change, but too terrified or involved in saving the relationship to leave. The third group are women who need immediate help getting out of such a relationship.
My task is to support them so that they can do it as safely as possible, without risk. Many of them discuss suicidal thoughts and even suicidal attempts with me at least once, which unfortunately may seem like a real alternative in such relationships.
What about the first two groups? Do you influence them or do they have to get to the point where they are looking for the end of the relationship? Can this process be speeded up somehow and save them suffering?
Unfortunately, in both these groups it is very difficult to really help because they are either not ready to abandon their partner or do not think it is so bad to consider parting. You need to show patience, give them time and be ready until they are able to leave. So my role is a kind of buffer – they need to talk, trust someone in the most painful case and be able to throw it out. At this stage, it is really difficult to reach a woman’s consciousness because she is terrified, insecure, helpless and the very thought of leaving may be out of reach, especially when there are children in the relationship.
From loving your body to believing in yourself and leaving a toxic partner – you have a lot of valuable advice for women. Is there a single, more universal recipe that each of us could use, struggling with smaller and larger problems on a daily basis?
Society and the media – especially social media – are constantly creating ideas of what our lives should look like. It is so with the canon of beauty. Apparently, being beautiful means having an unrealistic body that cannot always be achieved without surgery. Who sets these rules?!
My best advice to women: always stay true to yourself, your individuality and uniqueness is what makes you beautiful. Do not bend under the pressure of society and do not let change into someone whose task is only to please others!
Interviewed by: Michał Karaś
+Size Fashion Advocate Undergoes Weight Loss Surgery
” Do you think my advocacy is fraudulent or that I was pretending to support body positivity in order to gain followers and recognition?” Read below to find out.
This was my first time speaking out publicly about my Weight Loss Surgery & I chose the perfect way to do so; in Love U Magazine’s Butterfly Issue. The Butterfly Issue is about self-growth, authenticity, being raw & expressing one self.
TVM Malta News
In November 2018 I had the absolute pleasure of being invited by Mr Alfred Grixti the CEO of Foundation of Social Welfare Services to Malta. Here I was given the blessed opportunity to fly to Malta to not only attend my 1st ever Press Conference but to also have been invited as an International Key Note Speaker for the beautiful people of Malta.
After the 2018 United Nations Day of Elimination of Violence against Women & Children Event I was interviewed by TVM Malta, which was broadcasted on Maltese television. A huge thank you to TVM for the feature.
To watch the feature simply click on the link below.
HTTPS://WWW.TVM.COM.MT/EN/NEWS/PUNCHED-HER-ON-THE-FACE-AND-TRIED-TO-STRANGLE-HER/
Key Note Speaker @ 2018 Day of Elimination of Violence Event Malta
On Monday November 26th 2018 I had the honour of attending the 2018 United Nations Day of Elimination of Violence against Women & Children Event in Malta where I was invited as a Key Note Speaker. The Event was organised by CEO of FSWS; Mr Alfred Grixti and his wonderful team at Foundation for Social Welfare Services.
Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat, Minister Ms Helena Dalli and FSWS CEO Mr Alfred Grixti commenced the Event each speaking briefly about the importance of supporting Victims and Survivors in order for them to progress in life. Shortly after this, I along with two Maltese women each spoke about our previous experiences with Domestic Abuse and briefly on how we managed to escape and move on with life from thereafter.
I truly never thought I’d live to share my story, let alone travel around the world to tell it. As hard as it sometimes is, I do my best to stand strong each time I vocalise about my past trauma, because everything I do is for all Victims & Survivors around the world. Victims and Survivors without a voice and whom are too scared of the repercussions they would face should they speak up. I pray that the women of Malta felt closure, inspiration, upliftment, strength and courage from hearing me speak.
A HUGE thank you to the CEO of Foundation for Social Welfare Services; Alfred Grixti & Director of Foundation for Social Welfare Services; Claudette Abela Baldacchino for making this opportunity possible for me & for the extended hospitality I had received during my time in Malta. I am truly grateful, humbled and will cherish the memorable trip forever.
Below is my full Speech from the Event.
FSWS Press Conference Malta
In November 2018 I had the absolute pleasure of being invited by Mr Alfred Grixti the CEO of Foundation of Social Welfare Services to Malta. Here I was given the blessed opportunity to fly to Malta to not only attend my 1st ever Press Conference but to also have been invited as an International Key Note Speaker for the beautiful people of Malta.
On Sunday November 25th the Press Conference was held by Foundation for Social Welfare Services at the Grand Hotel Excelsior to discuss the 2018’s International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women and Children Event. The panel consisted of CEO of FSWS; Alfred Grixti, Australian High Commissioner to Malta; Julienne Hinch, Director of FSWS; Claudette Baldacchino & Ruth Sciberras.
Below is my part of the Press Conference.
TV1 Malta News
In November 2018 I had the absolute pleasure of being invited by Mr Alfred Grixti the CEO of Foundation of Social Welfare Services to Malta. Here I was given the blessed opportunity to fly to Malta to not only attend my 1st ever Press Conference but to also have been invited as an International Key Note Speaker for the beautiful people of Malta.
After the Press Conference I was briefly interviewed by Samuel Lucas of TV1 Malta, which was broadcasted on Maltese television. A huge thank you to TV1 for the feature.
To watch the feature simply click on the link below.
HTTP://WWW.ONE.COM.MT/NEWS/2018/11/25/DAR-GDIDA-GHAL-DAWK-LI-JSOFRU-MINN-VJOLENZA-DOMESTIKA/
IT-TORCA Malta Newspaper
In November 2018 I had the absolute pleasure of being invited by Mr Alfred Grixti the CEO of Foundation of Social Welfare Services to Malta. Here I was given the blessed opportunity to fly to Malta to not only attend my 1st ever Press Conference but to also have been invited as an International Key Note Speaker for the beautiful people of Malta.
After the Press Conference I was interviewed by one of the Journalist’s for Malta’s largest Maltese Newspaper, It-Torca. A huge thank you to It-Torca for this Interview and Feature.
The She-Shirt Shop x Natasha Medlar Collab
In this post I will be discussing this amazing collab as the title suggests, but more importantly I wanted to bring to light the amazing work that The She-Shirt Shop does and how it is so empowering to support what they stand for.
The She-Shirt Shop was founded by Victoria a former Lawyer, whom after having left her role, decided to pursue a different path in creating awareness and helping women worldwide. With a small team joining Victoria, they decided to create high quality products for women of all ages, shapes and backgrounds with the aim being to promote equality and awareness amongst women worldwide.
That’s not the only wonderful thing about this Organisation, they also donate 10% of all profits to two chosen women’s charities; Woman’s Trust and Days for Girls, which both help to support and protect women in the UK and across the globe. The She-Shirt Shop also offers free worldwide shipping and their clothing range is eco-friendly. Does it get any better than that?!
A little bit about both Charities; Woman’s Trust help give women the resources they need to prevent domestic violence damaging their futures. Their mission is to help women in London affected by domestic violence and abuse to overcome the mental and emotional harm and rebuild their lives. They provide women-only, client-led counselling and support services.
Days for Girls work to increase access to menstrual care and education by developing global partnerships, cultivating social enterprises, mobilising volunteers, and innovating sustainable solutions that shatter stigmas and limitations for women and girls. Days for Girls aims to create a world with dignity, health and opportunity for all, and so far, their movement has reached more than one million girls.
The amazing women at Woman’s Trust recently reached out to me asking if I would be interested in advertising one of their T-shirts of my choice and of course I said yes! I chose the shirt titled TRUST- Thriving, Resilient, Unbreakable, Surving, Tenacious because it resonated with me on many levels and was a reminder that I was so much greater than my past experience. The She-Shirt Shops message is so powerful, liberating, inspiring and I wore the shirt ever so PROUDLY! Not to mention the material is ever so soft and super comfy!
To get in touch with these fabulous women, you can contact them and purchase your own goodies via the below site.
Alhambra Women's Network UK Interview
Shoutout to the lovely Sabera Ahsan of Alhambra Women’s Network UK for this empowering Interview.
Have a read via this link :