My musing comes from the tragic case of Reeva Steenkamp. She was only 29 years old with the world at her feet and a promising career ahead of her.

Equally saddening were the events that unfolded on 14th February 2013 – a date usually synonymous with love and happiness, yet in a single act, Oscar Pistorius cut short not only her life, but wasted his own young life and plunged both their family and friends into a depth of despair they must carry with them for the rest of their lives.

I couldn’t help but reflect that to many millions of people watching the judgement, it was just an event happening through a TV set; some may even have seen the seven month trial as a media circus – amusing and entertaining in a macabre sort of way.

As I watched the court proceedings – Pistorius looking lost in the dock, and Reeva’s family and friends in the gallery clinging to each other for some semblance of comfort – I found my thoughts wandering to Reeva and thousands of other men and women all over the world who never take their chance for a better, peaceful life free from fear, violence and intimidation from a partner or friend.

For reasons only known to them, they cannot seem to take that courageous step and say enough is enough – for Reeva it was a fatal mistake. It should give us all food for thought that, even if we are not in the unfortunate position to be victims of domestic abuse, it doesn’t matter what age you are – if there is something in your life you are not happy with, then change it.

Do it today – make a list, take that dream, and jump.