S2 Episode 10: Behind closed doors. A young mother’s experience of domestic abuse

Young and head over heels in love, Sarah was thrilled to welcome her first baby into the world with her loving husband by her side. To the outside world, they looked like the perfect young family. Inside their home it was a very different story. Challenges arose after difficulties around breastfeeding with inverted nipples. Determined, Sarah persevered. However as the emotional and practical help from her partner began to ebb away, the challenges became greater and greater. When her second child arrived in quick succession, Sarah found herself trapped in a controlling and disrespectful relationship. This story explores the subtleties of domestic abuse, a singular violent episode, gaslighting and Sarah's recovery from depression and mental breakdown. We are aware of the chilling statistic that one woman a week is killed in Australia by their current or former partner. Underneath this statistic, are thousands of women who are trapped in emotionally abusive, controlling or coercive relationships, whose very means of survival, sense of self, and capacity to leave have been stripped away. Sarah’s story is a powerful voice of one woman who shall no longer be silenced.