From the night of her honeymoon through her 13-year arranged marriage, Kamal Dhillon was beaten, raped, ridiculed, starved, hung and doused by kerosene by a husband who then cruelly taunted her with a packet of matches.

She eventually escaped her horrific bondage of domestic abuse, rescued her four children, and today describes herself an 'overcomer.'

The author of the autobiography Black and Blue Sari, Dhillon uses her own harrowing story of abuse and torment as a medium to reach out to people of all ages and backgrounds to motivate, empower and challenge.

She is also a domestic violence counsellor, a victims' advocate and inspirational speaker.

Dhillon was the top recipient of the Community Leader Awards 2010 in Surrey, and was awarded a certificate of merit by the Canadian Heritage Ministry for her work.

Dhillon will be in Abbotsford on Feb. 8, to discuss domestic violence at the next Business and Professional Women's lunch in Abbotsford at the Cascade Community Church.

Tickets for the luncheon event is $15 for BPW members and $20 for guests. RSVP is necessary by noon on Feb. 6, to bpwabbotsford@gmail.com.

Doors open at 11: 30 a.m. and the event runs until 1 p.m. The Cascade Community Church is at 35190 Delair Rd., Abbotsford.

The Business & Professional Women's Club of Abbotsford provides support to local women in the realization of their plans, projects and activities, both in their work and responsibility to society.

For more information on BPW Abbotsford, visit bpwabbotsford.ca. There is also a chapter in Mission.

CToth@abbotsfordtimes.com