Survivor story: Sarah* ...I am rebuilding my life and am now studying for a sociology degree at university... He drank too much... The violence started pretty much straight away; he drank far too much and was drunk a lot of the time. I had grown up in a violent home, and had always said that if a man ever hit me, I’d hit straight back. The first time he hit me, I slapped him and it turned out to be the worst thing I could have done – he punched me repeatedly until he had to be dragged off me by two others who lived in the flat upstairs. He was psychologically abusive... After that it became a regular occurrence; I didn’t dare call the police for fear of what he might do afterwards. He was psychologically abusive and would tell me that if I ever left him he’d find me, wherever I was and kill me. I became pregnant and by that stage the abuse was mostly psychological but on one occasion, I wanted to go out but he wouldn’t let me – he stood in my way, smashed a bottle against the wall and held the broken bottle to my seven months pregnant stomach. I confided in my health visitor... I left on several occasions, but always went back because I was scared of what he’d do when he found me. My health visitor used to see me upset but I never told her what was happening, as I was too scared that I would lose my baby. She was a really good listener and I felt that she was the only person I could confide in, so eventually I dropped some hints to test the water. She was supportive without being interfering and because of this I made the decision to tell her. She was fantastic and told me about the Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline, who I called and who put me in contact with local Women’s Aid refuge. I am rebuilding my life... I moved out with my son and into a refuge outside of the local area, so that my ex couldn’t find me. It has taken some time to get over the psychological effects of the abuse, but I am rebuilding my life and am now studying for a sociology degree at university. My son is doing well at school and we are looking forward to a happy future. *Name has been changed to protect the individual involved. (womensaid.org)
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 09:00:00 +0000
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