Uberheroes - Suspicion

Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid provides confidential support, information and
emergency accommodation for Women and Children affected by Domestic
Violence…
For young people we offer both Group Support & One to One Support; at Group
young people can share their experiences from home, openly discussing their
experiences and the impact this has had on them. This sharing of experiences
provides comfort and reassurances to others, letting them know that they aren’t
on their own and that they will be understood.
Our one to one emotional support sessions can take place in or out of school; if
they choose out of school they can choose where to meet so that they feel
comfortable; this approach works well and the young people respond positively to
it. We look at memories of life at home, thoughts & feelings surrounding this and
the impact of what has happened to them. We designed this approach from
listening to other young people who had previously used our services to offer an
informal and relaxed approach.
Uberheroes® are delighted to have met both Kat and Jasmine in creating their
stories, they have had exceptionally difficult and distressing experiences but
thanks to the amazing work that Women’s Aid do they are in such a great place.
Both Jasmine and Kat shared their experiences of using Women’s Aid and below
is a direct quote from our interview with the girls – “This has helped my confidence
and has helped me to get back to who I was before, maybe even a better version.
The support system it has brought me has been amazing and incredibly helpful. I
would recommend this to anyone in a heartbeat!” Kat
We’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this, our Tenth issue.
You can do this by visiting us at .
www.uberheroes.co.uk
This comic is not intended as a substitute for medical advice of physicians. The reader should regularly
consult their GP in matters relating to his/her health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that
may require clinical diagnosis or medical attention.
Pencils by Nacho Tenorio, Inks by Sergio Mora, of Thirdguy Studios and Cormac Hughes Copyright© 2017 by Uberheroes®
Comic Colouring by Sonia Moruno Martinez Copyright© 2017 by Uberheroes®
Comic writing and Editing by Danny McLaughlin & Dee Nixon Copyright© 2017 by Uberheroes®
Copyright © 2017 by Uberheroes® Owner Dee Nixon
All rights reserved. This comic or any portion thereof may
not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever
without the express written permission of the publisher
except for the use of brief quotations in a comic review.
Printed in Northern Ireland. First Printing, June 2017
Hope 4 Life NI
North City Business Centre
Units 1, 2 & 5
2 Duncairn Gardens
Belfast BT15 2GG
www.Uberheroes.co.uk

JASMINE’s
Story...
My earliest memory is of
my parents screaming…
Stop
shouting!!
No!
Because
all you do is
lie in bed
all day...
feeling
sorry for
yourself...
You
know I’m
not well…
...you’re
unhinged!! that’s
why you take them
depression
pills!
I remember my Dad always
fighting with my Mum.
Everything
in your past
has made you
this way...
You’re
not well?
Be honest!
He would control
her. He would use
her mental health
against her…
it’s not
my fault!
Shu t up,
dog!!
...it really
scared me!

It’s
Saturday...
get up!!
The floors
need cleaned,
dinner needs made
and you’re in bed
all day...
you
need to
wise up!!
What..?
Look – your
children are
lazing about all
day with their
pyjamas on.
You’re not
being a mother
to them!
Mum, some of
our cousins are
staying at Nan’s
house this
weekend.
Can I stay
there if you and
dad are going
to fight?
No Jasmine –
you know I
don’t like you
to go near my
father...
You know
what? you need to
grow up, get over
your depression and
obsession with
your father.
Jasmine –
you can go stay
there tonight!
but...
And it’ll get
you out of my
hair for the
evening!
he used
to be really
bad to me.
Please,
he’s a bad person.
he hurt me! Why
are you doing
this?
Stop your
crying. I’ll be back
soon and these
floors better be
sparkling!!

I never understood
why my mum never
liked her Dad. It wasn’t
long until I found out!
That’s
enough out of
you lot!!
I’ve never
heard such a
racket out of
you before.
Don’t make
me hit you the way
I used to have to hit
your mother… she was
as much trouble
as you!
And for that
you’re staying in
the spare room
away from your
cousins.
I should have
known it would
have been your
fault!
I never knew exactly
what happened until
years later. Grandad was
very bad to my mum.
She had it very hard when
she was young. Both her
grandads used to beat her
until she couldn’t walk
and abuse her
I realised years later
that this was some of
the reasons why my
mum had depression…

When my mum was younger, she had a horrible life,
worse than most girls lives. Grandad was involved with
criminal gangs. They were bad people. Mum, I found out,
was sexually abused by some gang members. It didn’t help
dad liked to think he was involved in that world too…
I think
I’m going crazy!
I can’t find my
medication…
Are you
okay, mum?
I think your
dad has taken
them on me… but
I don’t know
why…?
Always bringing up her
past. Stealing her meds.
Pretending she was going
mad when she was
unbalancing and
suffering heavily from
her depression…
He would shake my mum and
beat her telling her she was
worthless and force her get
up and clean the house even
though she was in pain.
then belittle
her in front of
his thug mates
by taking all
the credit.
All while Mum’s
physical and mental
health was poor, made
even worse by the way
dad treated her. We
were all distracted and
none of us kids noticed
we were suffering too.
She’s a
nightmare and
losing it big
time!
She won’t
get up, so then
I have to make
the dinner
and...
Mum had her
own demons…
...clean
the house and
look after
the kids…
But I was
developing my own…

Things got worse for
everybody after the death
of my little brother…
Mum got more depressed
after Dad tried to mess
with her head by
destroying the teddy
bear the family got for
my brothers grave.
I’m late
to go meet
my mates, I’ll
be back
sometime…
Jasmine,
dad lied
again. Mum
didn’t fall.
Wheres,
mum?
She’s in
the hospital
because she
tried to kill
herself.
Your mum
is in hospital!
she fell and
hurt herself...
What? Why?
How? Is she
okay? And why
isn’t dad at the
hospital?
Things were so bad for mum that
she felt that the only way she’d
ever get rid of the pain was to end
her life. Mum thankfully survived
but dad didn’t even seem to take it
under his notice at all. He didn’t
visit her in hospital and went out
with his mates as usual.
I never noticed all the
pressure building up until it
was too late. I felt all the
pain rushing me all at once.
That’s when I started
cutting myself…

What’s this
Jasmine?
Have you
been hurting
yourself? This is
really serious
stuff!
this pain that we’re
inflicting is working, as
it’s making her worry all
the more… It’s increasing
her anxiety, fearful ness
and self- doubt
And my
manipulation of
the situation is
working sooooo
well… that she’s
nearly ours!!
Jasmine you’re
doing good… cutting
herself helps you to
forget the pain
around you...
When Mum came home from
hospital it wasn’t long
before she noticed I was
hurting myself.
I can’t
handle
this!
will you call
the school to see how
they could help because
this has gone past the
point of seriousness?
she needs immediate
help!
Even though Mum wasn’t well
she realised that Dad hadn’t
called the school. His abusive
behaviour was now negatively
affecting me too.
It was just like what
had happened to Mum as a
young girl, Mum knew she
definitely didn’t want that for
me. So she called the school
herself, that’s when things
started to change for me.
Guys,
we have an
Emergency!
Let’s Go!

The school took it very seriously
and I began counselling, and it
wasn’t long until my mum got me
on board with Woman’s aid too.
Hey Jasmine!
I’m Veritas, this is
Fortress and
Nadase and we are
Uberheroes!!
We’re here
to help! You have
been haunted
some by some
vile villains…
Veritas...
That’s when you
guys showed up!
See the
truth!!
Nooooooooo!!
Stop!! don’t shine
your light of
Truth for Jasmine
to see us!
We know how
much you’ve come
through and are now
starting your
journey with
counselling…
These villains
won’t help, that’s
why we’re here,
to help you beat
them.
unless
I Chain you
all up!!

My chains will
engulf you all!
stopping you succeeding
in releasing Jasmine
from our control!
You can’t
stop us… as
YOU have no
Hope!!
You lack the
power to hold
me with your
chains…
Help!
I’m scared and
trapped!!
...I have the
strength to
overcome you
for the both
of us!
Don’t worry
Jasmine – the
truth will soon
set you free…
I hear
you like
cuts…
Noooo!

Wow!
where did
he go?
I totally
agree,
Nadase!
Helllppp,
guys!!
Typical;
the bullies are
always the real
cowards!
Cowards…
the lot of
them!
Now get
out of here,
Mac!
See
the truth,
Jasmine…
Know
you are
strong…
Apply the
hope I know you
have, and you will
be able to defeat
anything standing
in your way…
You’re
right… i think
I understand
now!
i am
strong, I have
hope and know
the truth now,
so… Leave…
Me…
...ALONE!!
You see
you did it – that
inner self-belief
has overcome those
villains!!
Now you can
better understand the
things that hurt you, you
can now actively avoid
doing these or thinking
negatively!
But don’t
worry – there is
always someone you
can talk to if you
are struggling…
…like
us!
And we
will be keeping
an eye on you to
see how you’re
getting on!
And stay
strong so if they
do appear again –
they’ll be no match
for you!!
See the
truth,
Jasmine…

Later at home...
And
how are you
doing now?
I’m better now…
Yeah Dad hasnt been
about much. He followed
my sister home one
night to find out where
we live now,
and he has
been texting me
but right now we
don’t need him
in our life.
It’s only
now that he’s no
longer here that we’re
finally free of him, and
we can spend Saturdays
wearing our pyjamas
all day haha…
We can
all be who we are
without fear of Dad
disapproving or
punishing us…. Mum
especially is a lot
better too…
It’s so good
to see you all thriving.
I’m sure all the
counselling and talking
and being a family has
helped a lot!!
And being
there for each
other will help for the
future – Our hope is that
everything continues
improving for you
all.
I’m sorry
for the worry I
put you through,
I’m here for
you mum!
Aw I’m sorry
I was going
through all my
stuff too!
but as long
as we are all here
for each other,
everything will be
great!
I
Love you,
Mum!
I
Love you
all!
Love you
too, mum!
Well we
better be on our
way… as there are
plenty more people
in need of help from
the Uberheroes!
...The End.

Kat’s
Story...
KAT was about
one when her Dad
left her Mum.
He initially said that this
was to give them a short
break from each other as
he was going to stay
with Kat’s Gran…
…however he never
came back to the
family home…
Why is your
name not the
same as your
mums?
I have my
dad’s name but he
doesn’t live with
us because…
well
because...
uhmm...
This was a very stressing and confusing
time for Kat and her Mum as being only three
or four years old she didn’t understand
why her surname had to be different.
Her Dad was a drinker, he was
an angry drunk and he had real
issues with not seeing Kat. He
even threatened to kidnap her
and take her away to another
country so that Her Mum
wouldn’t see her ever again…
You can’t
keep her away
from me!!

He threatened her
mum with Paramilitary
involvement if she
didn’t let him see his
daughter. This was
really frightening
and distressing.
Come on,
Kat, we need
to pack up
quick!
Again?
But we just
moved here a
few months
ago!!
Kat and her Mum
were constantly
moving house
every six months
as her Dad always
seemed to be able
to find them…
I’ve
warned
you…
You better
let me see my
daughter or
else you’ll be
sorry…
[Text From Dad]
I know she’s in her room,
on her bed colouring in…
Don’t worry I know
everything…
He would send Stacy a text to
let her know what room she was
in and what she was doing….
…or that he hoped that she had
enjoyed her shopping trip into
Belfast that day or…
…or that he was standing
outside Kat’s bedroom
window and was able to
say how it was decorated
and how beautiful his
daughter looked when
she was sleeping!
The stalking took its toll
on kat and her Mum and
caused a real atmosphere
when he was trolling her.

When Kat went into primary school the office
was tasked with ensuring that she was picked
up by people who were trusted friends and
family members, they had a photograph of her
Dad so that they knew what he looked like.
Kat started a new school and in year 8.
Her Dad asked if Stacy would allow him to have a
controlled visit, he was quite nice, but Kat was
really angry at the way he had treated her and her
Mum and she didn’t feel that she could trust him.
Others had to agree a password that
was given to Kat as her Mum was still
worried about Kat being kidnapped.
He only had three visits before
he started to make excuses for
not being able to see Kat like
he didn’t have the money for
bus fare or to take her out.
he bought her
jewel lery. it
was always in
expensive looking
gift boxes…
however they
were all just
cheap items that
turned Kat’s
fingers and neck
green.
I know, Kat…
but do you like
the jewellery?
It must be
expensive…
Her Mum had been with Sean
for the majority of the
seven years; they were
happy together and decided
to marry however…
…just five
months after
the wedding,
well…
Finally her Dad got fed up and stopped calling to see
her or texting her Mum to make arrangements; life
settled into a reasonably easy pace they had been
living at their house now for nearly seven years
without her Dad being aggressive or threatening.
…Sean
changed!

Sean moved his brother into the family home
and everything changed as Sean no longer sat
in the living room with the rest of the family.
She’s
a stupid
cow!
but he now sat
in the kitchen
with his brother
away from the
family, Sean
also started to
slag Stacy off
to his brother
and to his other
friends who all
sat in the
kitchen laughing
at them.
It’s her!
I don’t want
her as a
daughter.
Don’t
you talk about
my daughter
like that!
Sean’s behaviour changed towards
her Mum specifically. He began to
pick fights with her Mum, he
started to make accusations
against her, accusing Mum of
being money-grabbing and falsely
accusing her of behaving badly,
with men, neighbours and anyone
else he could think of…
Don’t make
me laugh, just
wait till I get
started about
you!
So it was no surprise that
this distressing marriage was
over in less than a year…
Her Mum went through a really
unsettled period after she and
her sister had thrown Sean out
of the family home…
her Mum had a number of relationships, none of which
pleased Kat who was really frustrated with mums choices!
Her Mum then struck up a friendship
with Gareth, they had met in a local
park while walking their dogs, Gareth
was really nice to Kat and 6 months into
the friendship they decided to date…
…soon after
everything
began to fall
apart….
…He began
to be really
aggressive
and violent
towards them.

her Mum was so insecure that she began to defend his
behaviour, when he broke chairs, damaged furniture,
destroyed their belongings and started a war with the
neighbours; it got so bad that the neighbours complained
so much that they were evicted by the landlord.
They had to pack everything
up and move them
from hostelS to cheap
hotels for a couple of
months until they finally
moved into a new home.
This experience was so
humiliating and distressing.
For a week or
two in their
new home he
seemed to be
like the old
Gareth…
But that
didn’t last
long…
He began to get aggressive
and violent again, until one
night it all came to a head.
…they arrested him and
took him away, once
statements had been
taken from them both.
Gareth had attacked her
Mum so badly one night
that Kat called the police.
Guys we have an alert… take a look… it’s
this little girl… we need to help her!

I’ve sent
the address to
your devices,
let’s meet
there.
Okay!
Meet you
there, I’m on
my way.
Right
behind
you.’
Kat had been on anti-anxiety
medication as her experiences of her
Mum’s partners had been so difficult
to deal with and hard to come to
terms with the damage they caused
both her Mum and herself.
KAT!
Come
here...
Someones
here to see
you!

A little while later...
Yeah, I’ve been
really anxious and
scared, but everything
seems to be better
now for me and
mum!
And the Doctor
gave me anti anxiety
pills to help me move
past that time in my
life… this is a new
beginning…
That’s really
good news Kat but you
need to be aware that both
you and your Mum have
been through so much and
been victimised by some
particularly nasty
villains.
Yes, there
are wicked and
immoral characters out
there who manipulate
and feed off young
people’s pain.
But don’t
worry – we’re here
now and we will find
them if they are
attacking you from
the shadows.
Things
will get better
if you let us
hel p…
Are you
ready?
Everything
will improve as
each truth is
revealed
Yeah…
I’m Ready!
SEE…
The…
…TRUTH…

Damn you,
Veritas!!
We were all
set up so Kat had no
idea what we were doing,
she didn t even know
we existed! And we were
breaking her and
her Mum.
But you’ve
ruined
everything
…again!
what??
Well lets
say you’re
not that
subtle…
The Uberheroes helped Kat to see the truth, helped
her to be strong, fight for herself and keep going.
And
neither are we
when it comes
to taking you
down!
They’ve helped me see that truth,
resilience and hope will help me
through all my struggles, all
the issues that have threatened
to tie me in knots.

They helped
me look to the
future…
…to see that
there is hope!
Take
that!
Lets finish
this!
I’ll
tangle them
up with my
cyberNET!
Veritas,
take care
of these
guys…
Be gone
now!!
The villains are
gone… maybe now
this is your new
beginning!

They moved house again into a lovely
bungalow in a new part of the
country for them, somewhere they
knEw they will be able to make a new
start away from any threats.
Thank you
Uberheroes, you’ve
helped me get free
from the issues and
villains that were
troubling me.’
You are
welcome,
Kat!
It’s really
great to see that
someone who was in such a
horrible situation has come
through it all to become
such a confident healthy
young woman.
Well, without
you it wouldn’t have
been as easy and you
have inspired mum
and myself too…
We are both are working with the counsellors and
staff teams at Women’s Aid who’ve given them so much
support and encouragement in building up their
relationship and to approach new relationships with
renewed confidence and realism for the future.
With all the help, we both settled
into a new life with each other, all
these negative experiences has
really strengthened their
relationship and have grown really
close in this new beginning for us.
…the End!

Further information
Like the characters in the comic you may feel that these stories have connected with you, or
that the content of the stories has given you a lot to think about!
You might want to know more about what help is available, or maybe you’re concerned
about a friend and want to know what practical help you can offer. Alternatively you might
want to speak to your parents or guardians but you’re nervous about how they might react.
The Uberheroes comic is a great stepping-stone to start these conversations with an adult
you trust about your fears, worries or concerns.
Whatever the situation, listed below are some of the many resources available in
Northern Ireland, Ireland and the UK :-
Support Services
Hope 4 Life NI – www.hope4lifeni.org.uk
Mental Health & Wellbeing programmes for Children, Young People and Adults
“Ask an Uberhero a Question” via our website - www.uberheroes.co.uk
“Ask an Uberhero a question” is our online support service for you to
connect with one of our team if you are worried or concerned about
anything; this is a great way to ask our heroes for their advice and support.
Helpline Numbers
Women’s Aid,
Belfast & Lisburn Women's Aid
30 Adelaide Park
Belfast BT9 6FY
Telephone 028 9066 6049
Email: Referral.Desk@belfastwomensaid.org.uk
VOYPIC
Email: info@voypic.org
www.voypic.org
NSPCC
24 hour Child Protection Helpline Call:
0808 800 5000
Childline
For 1-2-1 Counselling Call: 0800 1111
For info and advice go to:
www.childline.org.uk
Samaritans
Samaritans helpline Call: 0845 790 9090
Helpline Email: jo@samaritans.org
Lifeline
Free Phone Lifeline: Call 0808 808 8000
Helpline Email: www.lifelinehelplineinfo.com
Talking to your friends, members of your family and teachers can help you start to better understand
what you’re going through; you may be surprised to find that others have had similar experiences and
are willing to share their experiences with you. Your friends or family may know of someone who they
trust, who would be willing to listen and offer you safe advice, having external support will help you to
see you’re not alone in thinking or feeling the way you do, it will also help rebuild your confidence,
self-belief and self-worth, which is the first step in healing and recovery.
Come follow us on our social media sites too...
UberheroesNI
www.uberheroes.co.uk

www.uberheroes.co.uk