A woman who endured more than 13 years of horrific domestic abuse, culminating in a near-fatal attack, has spoken of her terror after learning her perpetrator has been released from prison after serving less than six years.
A Cycle of Violence and Control
The abuse began when the survivor was a teenager. Her ex-partner, almost a decade older, isolated her and used heroin to exert control, giving her tiny amounts to make her ill and then slightly more to make her well. The physical violence was relentless. He punched her, broke her bones, dragged her through the house, and hit her head against walls. She was forbidden from wearing makeup or looking at other people, facing beatings that lasted for days if she disobeyed.
Despite having two children together, both later taken into care, and numerous police call-outs, the abuse continued unchecked for over a decade. The survivor recalls a social worker calling once, but her ex took the phone, told them to 'f**k off', and that was the end of it. On other occasions, he successfully shifted the blame for the violence onto her.
The Final Attack and Eventual Escape
The most severe assault occurred in 2020. Over several days, she was raped, punched, strangled, stabbed, and kicked. Her escape came only when an acquaintance of her ex arrived at the house. During a trip to a petrol station, she fled into the shop screaming for help. Her ex followed, telling bystanders she was 'off her meds' and trying to carry her out, but witnesses saw her clear injuries and fear. The police were called and he was arrested as he tried to flee.
He was eventually convicted of kidnap and attempted murder. A rape charge was dropped as part of a plea deal where he admitted to the other offences. At sentencing, the judge described him as a danger to women and the public, imposing the maximum sentence possible for the charges. The survivor believes that if the rape charge had not been dropped, he would still be in prison today.
A Lifetime Sentence of Fear for Survivors
In March of this year, the survivor received a phone call on the very day of his release, a common practice that gives domestic abuse victims no time to prepare. She now lives with a new partner and their three children, but their life is dictated by fear. They have moved five times in as many years and plan another move to get further away. Her partner constantly checks mirrors when driving, they cannot share their location with friends, and they feel unsafe walking the streets.
She highlights the systemic failures: the flawed justice system, the lack of timely support from social services, and the need for tougher sentencing and clearer charging guidelines for police and the CPS. While schemes like Clare's Law exist, she notes they are useless if you are already trapped in an abusive relationship.
"I've lost over half of my life to being abused in every kind of way," she says. "The only time I will truly feel safe is when he is six feet under." Her story underscores the urgent need for systemic change and better protection for survivors, who are often left with a lifetime of anxiety long after the perpetrator has served their time.
