I Didn’t Know I Was a Victim: The Reality of Abuse After You Leave

This episode is not easy listening - but it’s one you need to hear.Lorna Allen shares what it’s really like to live through coercive control, stalking, and abuse that doesn’t end when the relationship does.From the outside, it didn’t look obvious - there was no single moment, no defined line. Just a slow, confusing change in behaviour that only made sense in hindsight.“I didn’t even know I was a victim… until the police told me.”In this conversation, Lorna speaks openly about:Why leaving isn’t the end of the storyThe reality of coercive and controlling behaviourThe daily impact most people never see or understandHow systems meant to protect can still leave people exposedLorna also shares why she made the difficult decision to go public, and what needs to change to protect others.This isn’t just awareness, it’s a lived reality.And for many, it doesn’t end when the relationship does.Useful Links: https://buymeacoffee.com/cornerstonesafeguarding  - Every coffee you buy helps us keep creating practical tools and content for safeguarding professionals like youTo find out more about Cornerstone Safeguarding - www.CornerstoneSafeguarding.co.uk Email us at Cornerstone: [email protected] in a meeting to discuss your safeguarding needs: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ0ZwllED1_R0eAmzurUNbXW6dk92TtCp9BE8oysOnlPwBl3L2vNEooyvSJ3fQaQBk_q1onKflh4Subscribe to Cornerstone Connect - https://cornerstonesafeguarding.co.uk/resources/cornerstone-connect-sign-up/- for fresh safeguarding insights, priority access to support, and exclusive discounts. Chris East on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-east-801496174/Leah East on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-east-cornerstone/Producers of this episode: Chris East, Leah EastHost of this episode: Chris East