Leaving an abusive relationship is difficult. Satistics tell us the most dangerous time for a victim is when she is about to or has just left her abuser. Often agencies can help her leave safely. I didn't leave to the safety of a refuge as I was too scared too tell the authorities in case it made the abuse worse.

I was being abused in my own home, it became obvious to me the only way out of the abuse was to leave him and leave my home. This involved me leaving everything I'd ever known. My home, my furniture, my keepsakes & clothes along with everyone I ever knew in the city I had lived and worked my whole life. I had to leave it all behind and start from scratch.

So that's what I did. I fled in my car with only my gym bag.

It has taken me a long time, lots of advice and healing from counsellors and the police for me to gain the strength to request the abuser to leave my house.

He has flatly refused.

The only way through this is to have him evicted through the legal system which is costly and my finances are exhausted due to me paying two sets of bills. One set for my safe house and one set for the property the abuser refuses to surrender back to me.

I am looking to raise £2500 for legal fees to gather the documents for his eviction. I've tried to do everything on my own so far, but realise I need help now. I just want to be back in my home where I belong.

Can you help me? I hope you can.

Next year I'm hoping to raise money myself for @womensaid as my way to #payitforward and help other women in a similar situation.

Thank you for reading

L x