Domestic Violence Information & Resources

Domestic violence is a pattern of abuse and controlling behaviour used to create fear, power, or control within a relationship. It can be physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial—and it isn’t always visible. Abuse can gradually affect your confidence, independence, and sense of self, making it incredibly difficult to break free.

My Story 

My experience of domestic violence involved prolonged periods of physical and psychological abuse, including physical assaults, strangulation, and being held at knifepoint with a kitchen knife on three separate occasions.

I was also subjected to controlling behaviour, including being forced to hand over my phone, which was then kept from me until the following day. My experience left me living with fear, control and a profound loss of freedom, not to mention the physical injuries sustained.

The person responsible has been charged with 11 offences by the Crown Prosecution Service and is currently awaiting trial at Manchester Crown Court. I share my experience to help others understand that domestic abuse is not always visible, and that no one should have to live in fear of the person who is supposed to care for them.

This survival guide offers a psychological breakdown of what happens to you during the process of moving beyond an apology. It explains the emotional, mental, and behavioural responses that can arise when you are trying to make sense of what happened, rebuild your sense of self, and begin to move forward.

Rather than simply telling you what to do, the guide helps you understand why you feel the way you do. It puts language to the confusion, self-doubt, anger, grief, attachment, and emotional exhaustion that can occur throughout the process.

The aim is to help you recognise that these reactions are part of a process—not a sign that you are failing. By understanding what is happening psychologically, you can begin to separate the need for an apology from the deeper work of healing, rebuilding your boundaries, and finding your way beyond what happened.

Please access the document below...

The risk of danger is at its highest when you leave so please have a plan in place and do it safely. 
In an emergency always dial 999 for a prompt response and IF you cannot speak press 55 on your key pad and the police will locate your phone and respond as a priority 

Leaving Safely

Leaving an abusive relationship can be the most dangerous stage, so your safety comes first.

  • Make a safety plan and, where possible, speak to a specialist domestic-abuse service.
  • Tell someone you trust and agree on a code word for emergencies.
  • Prepare essentials such as identification, medication, money, keys and important documents.
  • Protect your technology by checking passwords, location sharing and account access.
  • Plan where you will go and how you will get there safely.
  • Avoid announcing your plans if this could increase your risk.
  • Keep evidence of threats or abuse only if it is safe to do so.
  • After leaving, protect your location and seek ongoing support.