This beautiful lady said I don’t have to go on my own and she would come with me, i was so grateful but I told her I was a bit worried because I know how evil he can be, but it didn’t bother her in the slightest. My ex treated me like something he stood in, he was just the nastiest horrible most evil person you could imagine. But to outsiders he was the total opposite and not the same person to who he was with me. He battered me until I was black and blue from my head down to my feet and I bet i must sound daft but I got used to the kickings and beatings. Him beating me nearly every day was normal and I’d not seen my self without any bruises for over 21 years. I forgot what It was like to comb my hair without feeling pain, sore and tender because I always had massive bumps and lumps on my head.
Don’t get me wrong it did hurt every time he beat me up but not as much as it hurt when I ended up in hospital for 2 weeks. The beatings he give me after that I don’t think I even felt them because I was numb to him and everything else and I felt like I deserved it. That night when I ended up in hospital changed me and the rest of my entire life forever. Nothing will ever hurt me as much as that. I carried my baby girl for seven months I used to talk to her and when I used to be in bed on my own I used to say I promise you your Mommy is going to make sure we get out of here soon and you will be the most happy princess ever.
One night I was knocked to our kitchen floor and I was in a corner doing everything I could to to cover and protect my baby but i couldnt protect her I didnt save her.
I was on my hands and knees in the hospital toilet that same night staring at blood dripping on to my carpet slippers and seeping through my dressing gown and my whole heart broke into pieces. I just prayed and asking god If he was real, please to take me as well, I didn’t want to live without my baby. I felt so guilty that I made it and she didn’t She was all I ever wanted. I felt like I wasn’t on this planet when he was driving me home saying “that’s right You bottleless bitch, I knew you weren’t going to let me go and let another bitch have me.” I was terrified of him and had no one else to turn to I was just numb for years like I say it’s like I wasn’t even here.

On the day Francine came with me to the house to collect my belongings my knees were trembling, all my mouth was dry and I was just absolutely petrified.
When I I rang the door bell I was so terrified I started crying then he came to the door “the wonderer returns” he said and laughing, then he became all aggressive and verbally abusive.
He put his hand up like he was going to hit me but Francine was like the speed of lightening how she grabbed his hand.
Honestly his face was unbelievable.
What Francine did for me that day I’ll always remember, She looked at my abusive ex and I’ll never forget how she said “The best advice I can give you right now is to control your self, if you can’t do that I suggest you step aside and let us have what we’ve came for and that’s it. Hitting a woman doesnt make you a bad man, look I’m a woman and look how calm I am, you aren’t scaring me one bit. You’re absolutely no threat to me my friend and if I wanted to, I could put you to this floor in seconds but I won’t do that because I have control and it’s something you need.
Violence doesn’t solve a thing now you let this lady get her things and you leave her alone for good Is that ok? Do we have a deal?”

Well his face honest to god he went grey and I know It might sound bad but I started shaking with excitement. I thought YES YES YES YESSSSSS….she is great!
He went on the back garden and said “get your things and don’t come back”
When we got in the car to drive home I felt like a giddy child and a “happy feeling” like I’ve never felt in my life.

Francine walked me into my new home and I gave her the biggest hug ever she said “I told you everything was going to be ok, it’s over now.“
I asked her if she wanted a coffee but she was really busy, god bless her. My god this woman works hard, she said “where’s all your furnishings?” I said “this is it” then she said “I’ve got to dash to help someone else but as soon as i finish I will call you”.
That same night she come back with her team and they brought me absolutely loads. I just started crying with what these people had done for me and they’ve just been so good.
Francine still calls me to see if I’m alright and we chat and laugh because, what a sense of humour she’s got. Francine never fails to make me laugh and when you have no one, then to have this friendship and support is like a dream come true.
It was last year when I first met Francine, and Im still so grateful for what she did for me. l think the absolute world of her.
I wish I could win the lottery or do something to help because I would give all of it to this charity and go and buy as many fridges and ovens and all the other stuff for people like me.

Francine you work so hard I don’t know how you do it.
My evil ex partner as never tried to make contact with me since and being free is the best feeling ever.

I’m not sharing my story with you all for any sympathy but with hope it can makes more people aware of how wonderful this charity is and
Thank you is not enough for everything you do.

​Karen (Survivor)