Simone O'Brien was a 37-year-old single mother of three when she decided to try internet dating. She chose a real estate agent because the license requires a police check. She thought that meant safe. Nine months later, on the night she ended it, he came to her door. What followed lasted ten minutes. Forty-five to fifty blows with a baseball bat. Her skull is now titanium. Her right eye is a prosthesis. Her sense of smell is gone. Her son Zach, ten years old, stood in the hospital corridor every day and vomited because he said that was not his mummy in there.

Her children were called in twice to say goodbye. She had a 3 to 5 percent chance of survival. She woke up not knowing why she was there. She had to relearn how to walk, talk, get dressed, and flip playing cards for hours to get movement back into her hand. She has had 52 operations over 12 years. She ran the New York Marathon.

Then came the revelation after the trial. Two wives came forward. A third girlfriend. Evidence he was kicked out of America for domestic violence. The detail that stops you cold: if his first wife had reported him, he never would have passed a police check. He never would have got his real estate license. Simone would never have met him.

This is an episode about what survival costs and what you do with it.

If this episode has brought something up for you, you are not alone. Simone mentioned 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) — available 24/7 for anyone experiencing or at risk of domestic violence. Safe Steps (VIC): 1800 015 188. DV Connect Women's Line (QLD): 1800 811 811. Emergency: 000.

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If you've had a "feck it, no more" moment and want to share your story — or know someone who should — reach out to Glenn directly:[email protected]