This is my story – surviving domestic and economic abuse
Sara is a qualified teacher and a survivor of domestic abuse. She has shared the story of when and how her abuse began, how it affected her and how she was able to get help, hoping that she can help someone in a similar situation to reach out.
Share this article
“I never dreamt that I would be free to live the life I am living now”
“I got married to a person who was kind and caring at first, but things changed once our first child was born. This was when the shouting, verbal abuse and constant criticism began. I was constantly criticised about my looks and told that I was inadequate and useless.
“From the time I woke up to the time I went to sleep, I was verbally abused. Some days I wished that I never woke up, but then I would think about the children and how their life would be without a mother.
“He didn’t want me to have a social life and disliked it when friends and family called, I wasn’t even allowed to speak to our neighbours. It wasn’t long before friends stopped calling and my family stopped visiting.
“When I got my first job as a teacher, he began to open my letters from the bank. Eventually he took over my salary, income, and expenditure. He would force and threaten me to take out loans in my name, if I refused, he would threaten me.
“The final straw was when he began to turn the children against me by telling them lies, painting a negative picture of me. I was able to survive being cut off from my friends and family but slowly being cut off from my children was unbearable, I knew I couldn’t live without them.
“In need of support, I desperately started talking to and confiding in my friends and manager, and eventually the school and police got involved. I was logging each incident, eventually and through the support of my network a non-molestation and occupation order was granted through the court.
“Then the miracle happened and my life changed for the better - the charities, police, school, doctor, registry office, women’s refuge, social housing, foodbank were all tremendous.
“I am now confident, happy, secure, and comfortable with myself. I now see myself as beautiful.”
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing domestic abuse, we can help – whatever your situation.
*not her real name.