“Given the way my burns creeped over my neck and side, it meant I physically wasn’t able to move in certain ways. I was a walking, talking, breathing conundrum of sorts: presented with this hopeful newfound agency having just left my abuser, but still restricted entirely by his doing, a prisoner in my body.”

In episode 2 Twice Over, Roia moves to Melbourne, where she lives with her children and her family. Despite leaving her now ex-husband, her burns continue to gnaw, sting and throb. Drawing on her body and its unique architecture post-violence, Roia describes the kind of claustrophobia she is forced to face in a body made to wear her ex-husband’s rage. 

Co-producers: Madison Griffiths and Beth Atkinson-Quinton

Lead Storyteller: Roia Atmar

Sensitivity Editor: Shakira Hussein

Assistant Producer: Danae Gibson

Sound Designer and Engineer: Jon Tjhia

Guests in this episode: Jeremy Rawlins

Voice actors: Thank-you to Rosemarie Jansz who voiced Roia’s mother Najeeba, and to Areej Nur, Izzy Roberts-Orr, Michelle Macklem, Anu Hasbold, Beth Atkinson-Quinton, Elle Marsh, Karishma Luthria, Mel Cranenburg, Sophie Woods, Ayan Shirwa and Adalya Nash Hussein for their contribution to this episode.

For episode transcripts and more information visit our website and stay in touch across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @broadwavepods, and @tenderpodcast on Twitter.

Tender season two is Broadwave podcast supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, and proudly sponsored by the Victorian Women’s Trust.