He swept her off her feet.  She believed she had fallen deeply in love with an ideal partner and was set for the perfect family life.

First, he pushed her, then grabbed her, then squeezed her neck so tightly she almost blacked out.  As she lived in abuse, she morphed into someone else.  The emotional, mental, financial and physical abuse at home caused her to change into someone else.  Someone her abuser created. A few years later she was standing on top of her apartment block.

In part one, Maria tells the dark story of her relationship, correcting misconceptions many hold about victims of domestic abuse, and explains why many domestic abuse victims don’t leave.

Thank you for listening!

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