I have 4 children, and left a DV relationship 3 years ago, 3 months pregnant. I did so when he started on the children, which was triggered by my last pregnancy.
Leaving was hard, I had to play the game to get him to leave. Total mind games. What followed was horrendous and I needed a lot of mental health support. It was the right thing but I'm shell shocked and will never be the same again, I'm dead inside.
What nobody tells you is how it is shit afterwards as well. There has been no golden future out the other side. I struggle through each day. I have had to give up my career this week and leave a job to go on benefits.
I have no friends. Because I'm always caring for the children.
I have no bedroom, because I'm overcrowded. I daren't leave them with a babysitter because they've already been abused in their own home and they are scared. Social services cannot offer support, neither can schools.
Now I've got his whole family messaging and ringing me constantly berating me for not letting him talk to the children.
After leaving I waited for the relief to come. It never did and life is just as hard now and always will be. My son tells his teachers his dad is an abuser. He has been left with anger problems. I'm dealing with an aftermath I have no clue what to do with.
I will never have a new partner, or a life in anyway. My ex is a bastard, but life without him is also shit. I'm the enemy to everyone.
Fuck it all.