My (anonymous) guest on the show today met her ex-partner at the gym. There were alarm bells from the start - for instance, my guest's ex did not want her to spend time with anyone else and he made her delete all her male contacts on social media. Not long afterwards he forced her to delete all her social media platforms altogether.

After three months they moved in with his mother and her partner (they were also in an unconventional relationship), and her ex soon started exhibiting very angry behaviour. They were forced to move out as her ex's mother didn't want her son's angry behaviour in her home. Within four weeks my guest's ex was physically hurting her.

In this episode, my guest shares her story. She discusses the birth of her son, and how the relationship escalated and the domestic violence built up over time. She talks about how he used knives to taunt her, how he strangled her until she became unconscious, and how in the end he landed in jail (though not for long enough!).

My guest this week has been through a lot over the last few years, but her strength and resilience is truly remarkable. She's a very inspiring woman.

Please note this episode may act as a trigger.

This is Part 1 of a two-part episode. Part 2 will be released next week.

Links mentioned in the episode:

To contact Julia, email: [email protected].

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