My friend has escaped from her abusive husband...

[strandedatsea]

...A while ago I posted a link to a friend of mine's blog about her abusive relationship and how she was planning to leave him. I know she got quite a few messages from people, some supportive, some unbelieving that she would ever leave him. I don't know if any of those messages come from people on MN but I just wanted to update in case any of you read her original blog. She and her young dc's have now left him and at the moment are living safely a long way away from him. I am so proud of her.

Her blog is here

Huge congratulations to your friend. She has every reason to feel proud of herself too. No matter how badly a partner treats you, it's still really hard to make that break. I'm so happy for her. It was 15 yrs on June 13th since I left my abusive ex and I celebrate it every year. Hope she and and her dcs continue to be happy and safe.
Well done on being such a supportive friend too

Wow, what an awesome woman. Thank god he didn't break her. I hope she gets the wonderful life she truly deserves.

Thanks both of you. It means a lot to me as well as her, it's been a tough, emotional roller coaster time. I was very involved with her "escape" and it wrung me out so I can only imagine what she must be thinking!

Lazarsub - congratulations on being 15 years "abusive partner free"!

I've only read her recent two posts, but her strength and certainty shines through.

How brave she has been to grab this chance of a better life for herself and her darling children. I am so pleased for her.

Will read more of the blog later.

The blog made me cry. Many hearty congratulations to your friend for her courage. xxx

Ive been following the blog since it started, Im so glad she is out.

I remember your original post, I didn't read the blog then but have done now, and it's so moving. Like many another victim of domestic abuse, she is such a strong and intelligent person that it's almost incredible she ended up in that situation. It goes to show it can happen to anyone. Amazing that she's still worried about the awful man's feelings too, which proves she's a much nicer person than I am! Her own strength and kindness played against her for a while. It sounds like the children are relaxing and recovering already and hopefully she will soon be over the worst of it too.

well done that friend.

I did read the blog from the start. Congratulations to your friend.

A lot of the time when i was reading her blog i had tears in my eyes...

Well done to her!

wow, I read it when you posted it last time but am so happy that she made it. Inspirational.

Thanks so much for posting the update. I'm really, really happy for your friend (and so relieved for her son, in particular - what a horrible way to grow up).

Thanks everyone. She will appreciate any messages of support on her blog - she is still finding it really hard and everytime I tell her on the email how well she is doing she is like "really? I don't feel like I am doing well"!

Anniegetyourgun - I agree with you. Ages ago I went to a domestic violence conference and heard about how it affects everyone, right across the social spectrum. And that it affects something like 1 in 10 relationships. I hardly believed it, but when S (my friend) told me what was happening to her, I felt like those terrible statistics were coming to life in front of me.

She is a very intelligent and well educated woman, who has travelled the world and done all sorts of interesting jobs. And yet she found herself trapped in this appalling situation. Shows that it really can happen to anyone.

She is very inspirational. And as she writes so eloquently I am hoping will one day use her blog as the basis for a book about her experiences.

stranded, why don't you get her to post her experiences on here as a kind of blog...she will have a captive audience of supportive and empathetic people.

Not to mention the inspiration she would give to countless women who lurk (and post) here looking for help.

mumonthenet - I think she's struggling to find time even to update her log at the moment! She doesn't know about mumsnet, I like to keep my RL friends separate from here. But perhaps I will suggest it once she is less frantic (she is still trying to get some more money out of the H).

Right. I get what you're saying.

Sending her love and support, and btw you are a great friend to her!

Wow! Jusy read some of her blog. Her ex reminds me of mine (HE finally left last Sunday!!)
All the very best to her. I already feel like a changed person after just a week.

Wishing her well and lots of happiness. XX
WEll done for escaping. The Dp has got what he deserves now!!