Tomorrow is the day that after much abuse and whilst decorating our sons birthday cake, his dad pinned me against a wall with a blade to my throat and threatened to kill me, as awful as it was, it did, with the help of the police, free me forever, so a day to celebrate

I was terrified in my own home, I slept with my phone in my hand and my number was flagged to the police, even a missed call they would be at my door in minutes, I have nothing but love for the police and all they did for me, over and over again when I continued to stay

They’d take statements, they’d ask me to consider a refuge, I’d refuse time and time again convinced I couldn’t live without him, their patience and compassion was extraordinary

I would never have been strong enough to leave without the additional support of the police, I feel extremely guilty that I wasted precious resources that they didn’t have, I was ashamed that I needed them so desperately, I used them for protection, but they were always wonderful

My life is better than it’s ever been, four years on and I am no longer afraid, I’m not a shadow of who I was, but rather more I’m a powerful and happy woman with the courage and conviction of a warrior