Debra Star is an author and speaker. She is a single mother who raised her own seven children whilst working in the community welfare sector. From the age of twelve she started to write poetry and short stories. Having experienced a vast range of life's struggles, only recently could she dedicate the time to write and have published her first adult contemporary fiction novel titled 'Escpae to Woodshine'. This book was a labour of love and has certainly filled the gap in a long held dream. There is a need to communicate many different aspects of family violence and how escaping is sometimes not enough.