This week on the show, single mum Kimberley shares Part 5 of her story. 

Please note that these contain sensitive topics on domestic abuse and violence.

It is recommended you listen to Parts 1 - 4 prior to listening to Part 5, but here's a short recap of the past episodes.

In Ep 263 - Part 1, Kimberley talked about growing up in a single mum household and the relationship she had with her own father, the night she met her husband, and how (what she thought was going to be) a one night stand turned into a very toxic and abusive relationship. She shared the story of the early days of their relationship, up until the birth of her daughter, and the red flags and abusive tendencies that started appearing.

In Ep 264 - Part 2, Kimberley's story continued. She talked about how the abusive tendencies started escalating and she shared her experience of what she would later find out was known as the cycle of domestic violence. She also talked about how she gained the courage to leave him, though it was the first of many attempts she made to leave the relationship, and how six months later he wormed his way back in.

In Ep 267 - Part 3, Kimberley shares the further violent and abusive outbursts of her ex, and the safety measures she started taking to protect herself (and how she perceived this as being normal), the financial abuse that had started getting worse, the isolation he inflicted on her and separating her from her friends and sister (her biggest support), his gambling and consequent debt that kept increasing, and his paranoia that kept getting worse. She also shares what happened when he moved out and back in again a couple of times.

In Ep 268 - Part 4, Kimberley started sharing what happened in the final six months of them living together, which is what she allowed because she wanted to protect her kids. She shared all the crazy things he did and beliefs he held and how she always felt like she was walking on eggshells around her ex. And then how one day, he started telling her how easy it would be to kill her - that all he had to do was come over and strangle her. And then he taunted her – repeatedly walked towards her and then away. And then the next day - raping her.

In this episode, Kimberley explains how she felt completely stuck with nowhere to go after calling the Police for advice and being told she could take an AVO out that would protect her, but not her children. 

She talks more about his violent outbursts - throwing raw eggs all over the walls of the kitchen and dining room, hitting their daughter with their phone, and spitting on his son's bedroom door - and his sexist attitudes - expecting Kimberley to clean up after him, and their daughter to clean up after her brother. She also tells us about the suicide threats he would make to their children.

Kimberley also shares the details of the night the nightmare she was living finally came to an end...

Finally, we discuss:

• The process she took to get an AVO out against her ex and how she was able to get him to leave her home (for good). 
• The help she received from some amazing organisations and people.
• How he continuously breached the AVO.
• The fear she lived with and the impact it had on her.
• How the feelings her children had towards their father changed.

Stay tuned for next week, where Kimberley shares the final part of her story - Part 6.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Listen to Ep 263 - Kimberley's Story (Part 1) HERE.

Listen to Ep 264 - Kimberley's Story (Part 2) HERE.

Listen to Ep 267 - Kimberley's Story (Part 3) HERE.

Listen to Ep 268 - Kimberley's Story (Part 4) HERE.

Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE. 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

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