When I was struggling after leaving my abusive ex, you helped me move on

DEAR DEIDRE: AFTER escaping from my abusive ex, I was finding it hard to cope.

I often felt down and had very low self-esteem.

I’m 44 and was married to a man aged 45 for ten years before I left him. We have a nine-year-old daughter together.

He was physically and verbally abusive, hitting me, calling me horrible names and denying me access to money.

Eventually, I found the strength to walk out, taking our girl with me.

The hardest part was over, but I had to go to court over access arrangements.

I could not sleep with all the worrying about it. You advised me to have some counselling and suggested that I make an appointment with a solicitor for legal help.

You also sent me your support packs, Abusive Partner and Building Self-Esteem, which had lots of useful information and sources of support.

Thank you, Deidre. I am doing so much better now.

Opening up to you made me realise I had no reason to feel ashamed.

A solicitor is helping me with the court case, and I’m having counselling to work through everything.

DEIDRE SAYS: You’ve achieved so much alone. You just needed support to move forward.

I’m so glad I could point you in the right direction.