In Our Own Words 2. “I met him through work & after the birth of our first daughter he started hitting me. I needed help – from anywhere really, so I made a telephone call to CWA. The service had helped me by giving me support & being there, listened to me & supported me all the time. They are supporting me whilst I‟m having appointments at solicitors & court appearances. I wouldn‟t manage without them” 3. “I met my husband at 17 and was married at 21. He was very violent from outset. I thought it would get better when I was pregnant but didn‟t. I just thought I had to get on with it. I didn‟t tell anyone, I thought it was my fault and I didn‟t have anywhere to go. I had 5 children. I feel like I had no self respect, I became dependent upon my husband. I left a few times but went back because of the children. Children are meant to have a proper family. I kept the abuse hidden from my children. They may have heard but mostly it happened when no-one was there. Things got worse as the children grew up. I was inches away from losing my life at one stage. My husband was arrested and convicted following one court appearance. I went back to my husband after the conviction. I hoped things would settle down. For two years there was a quiet spell. I am from a very religious community and felt ashamed. I kept it all so quiet although I often had bruises around my neck. I left when I suspected I had been poisoned in my food. I stayed at friends homes for a while until met a DV Outreach worker in Northwich who got me referral to CWA. I am now getting divorced. My children are grown up but don‟t speak to me really, my husband has turned them all against me, which is hard. I could never have made this move without Crewe Women‟s Aid. I have a fresh start in a bungalow. I would be dead by now, this is the best thing I could have done” I met him in 2001, we both worked nights (supermarket) in Crewe. We moved in together within months of meeting. From the outset there were problems, he was jealous, needy, clingy and possessive. At first I felt quite flattered by the thought someone needed me that much. I thought it showed he loved me and it felt nice to be loved.
An Evidence Based Evaluation Of Crewe Women’s Aid . Page 29