Not just a group for support also to create awareness. Family and domestic violence is not a topic widely talked about. It’s not generally something that comes up at barbecues, birthday parties or other gatherings. You rarely see it on the news unless somebody is murdered or similar. What do you know about the stats of family and domestic violence? Do you know how to contact helplines? How to access the court system? How to protect yourself? What should you do once/when you leave an abusive relationship? This is the place to find those answers. Suggestions from members is welcome.

Hello and welcome to all new members. Please feel free to introduce yourself and share a little about your experiences. I want this page to be more about the members in it and less about me just posting. Please feel free to start a discussion. I’d be happy to contribute my own part on any discussion initiated by any member of this group.

Welcome to the new members who have joined in the last couple of weeks. Please feel free to introduce yourself or post your own story.

What made you decide to leave? How many tries did it take before you left permanently? Statistics suggest it takes an average of 7 attempts before someone leaves an abusive relationship for good. For me, it was exactly 7. The first time, it was after about 10 months. The abuse was subtle at that stage. But I was sick of not being believed if I went to the shops to buy stuff and the item wasn’t there. I was doubted as to whether I’d even looked. I was also sick of being blamed for when things went wrong. The straw that broke the camels back was when I came home with fish and chips for dinner for everyone. I was berated for letting them put everything into a bag to carry easier. I left for a. couple of days and when I came back I started looking for somewhere else to live. I moved out without telling my ex partner and moved while he was out all day. I had my mum and my nana help me. I was in the shower later that evening when he turned up to talk. He’d gone through my phone the week before without me knowing and found out my plan and learnt where I was going. We talked in the car. I still didn’t know fully what he was at that stage so I believed him when he said he didn’t hold grudges and if I ever had a problem I should talk to him about it instead of running. I let him stay in my life when I should have cut and run. It was about 2 months later I let him move into that house with me. Crazy but as it turns out, quite a normal experience for many. Who else can relate?

Welcome to the new members who have recently joined. Please feel free to introduce yourself. Please feel free to add content as you want. This is a sharing space.