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I’m not generally a thread girl, but this is important. One of my oldest friends was in an abusive relationship for a year. It followed a classic pattern. She was recently divorced, he love bombed her, relentless flattery, talk of soulmates and unprecedented feelings etc...
Fairly soon, he turned up the heat. Kept stealing her phone and lying about it, temper tantrums, verbal abuse, false accusations made about her friends so she’d dump us and be isolated. Abusive messages he’d send from her phone to ruin her relationships. It was hell...
Then, of course, he became violent. He broke into her house in the middle of the night and frightened her children. He pushed her down the stairs. She left him several times and to our extreme frustration, he worked his magic by saying he adored her and was unwell. He needed her.
One day last year, he stole her phone again. Angry at the accusation, he threw her on the floor and kicked her repeatedly. Unbelievably, a woman walked past the open curtains, saw, and dialled 999. He heard the sirens and fled, drunk, in his car. They arrested him...
Turns out he had a criminal record for multiple offences against women. They took photos of my friend’s injuries. She got in touch with his ex girlfriends, persuaded them to come forward. They all had the same stories. So then, here’s what happened: nothing...
The police didn’t send the photos to the CPS for an ABH charge. They now say (in writing) they forgot and are sorry, but that my friend needs to move on. They will act on nothing else because assault has just six months to be charged. Did you know this? I didn’t. You can help.
Women and men who are violently assaulted by their partners have just 6 mths to do something. Then the aggressor is safe. Breaking free can take years. And then it’s too late. Signing this petition will force parliament to reconsider this dangerous rule. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/555276
Thank you. She never went back. We were very lucky that it only lasted a year and she’s still in one piece. He’s already in another violent relationship. Someone’s friend is not going to be as lucky as mine. Your signature is much appreciated.
