This episode is one of the hardest and most emotional episodes I have ever recorded. It's a heartbreaking story. But it's also a story of survival, strength, and courage. And it's a very important story.

May is the month of family and domestic violence prevention in QLD, Australia. Its aim is to raise awareness in the community of the social and personal impacts of domestic violence and to support those affected. And that's exactly what my guest today is doing in this week's and next week's episode by sharing her story.

She has experienced hell. Throughout her ten year relationship with the father of her three children, she was tortured with belts, lighters, and sex toys. Repeatedly hit with the handle of a hammer. She was doused with petrol at eight and a half months pregnant. He would tie her up. She was constantly threatened with death. Locked in a bedroom and forced to miss Christmas Day with her children.

When he beat her so badly in January 2017, she made the brave decision to make a run for it, taking only her four-week-old baby. She risked leaving her other two children behind. But there was no choice. It was run or be killed. Exhausted, she made it to a police station, who called an ambulance and took her to hospital.

Her ex-partner beat her so badly that on this day she resembled someone who had been in a severe car accident. She had a broken leg, ribs, and nose. In the days leading up to this brutal attack, he had also forced her neck into a noose and locked her in a bedroom and wardrobe. She had to urinate in a plastic container.

In this week's episode, she tells her story.

In next week's episode, the story is continued. My guest will tell us about the sentencing of her ex, and how she has rebuilt her life.

Links mentioned in podcast episode:

• DV Connect
• Queensland Health - Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
• QLD Government - Victim Assist Queensland
• NSW Government - Victim Services
• The Brisbane Domestic Violence Service (BDVS)
• A list of services (most of which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) for Australian women in a relationship, or single mothers (and fathers), that are suffering from domestic violence, or relationship conflict, and need help or support can be found in this blog post.

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