Dawn's story

What Happened:
I was with my boyfriend for about one and a half years before he started being horrible to me. He was always telling me that I was overweight and that I wasn't allowed to go anywhere with him because he was embarrassed of me (for the records I am no more than 5kg overweight). He used to make me do everything for him. When we had been together for 2 years he told me that when I lost all my weight, we'd get engaged. We hadn't kissed properly or had sex in about 6 months before he broke up with me. Which I am SOOOO grateful for, I cannot believe I stayed with him for so long - he just made me feel as though I had no where else to go. He turned me against my mum and the rest of my family and I am only just starting to get on with mum properly again. I now have a wonderful boyfriend who treats me like a princess - he knows what I have been through.

How I coped:
I didn't really cope with it - he broke up with me and I went into hysterics begging him for forgiveness and wanting him to take me back I eventually went to the Doc and he prescibed me with Valium to knock me out - even that wasn't strong enough, I didn't want to leave him!

How the situation changed:
After we broke up he started calling me, wanting to be friends and then he just started to verbally abuse me. I couldn't stand the thought of him anymore and I ended up hating him instead of wanting him back. So you could say he has done me a favour, as I cannot now ever imagine how I could have loved him!!

 

What helped me to get stronger:
My current boyfriend, he is so wonderful, and my mum. They were both very supportive and even though I had abandoned mum she took me back straight away! My boyfriend has been wonderful and as mentioned above treats me like a princess.

 

What I would say to someone who is being abused:
I honestly wouldn't say much at all. I think that someone who is being abused needs someone to listen to them, not someone to tell them what to do. This may sound selfish but I would offer support but I would try not to get into the middle of it so as I would not be at risk also. I would suggest maybe a helpline, but really I think they need someone to listen to them. Easy to tell them to just get out of it and run away, but when you're in that situation it seems impossible to do so! Best of luck if you are in trouble.