Today, I want to highlight something incredibly important. 💜

A very brave lady recently commented on this petition and shared her own heartbreaking story. Firstly, I want to say thank you. Sharing experiences of domestic abuse is never easy, and I am incredibly grateful that she trusted this campaign enough to tell her story.

Reading her comment reminded me of something that isn’t talked about nearly enough.

Domestic abuse doesn’t always end when the victim leaves.

In fact, leaving an abusive relationship is often one of the most dangerous times. Survivors are frequently subjected to relentless harassment, stalking, intimidation, manipulation, threats, false allegations, and attempts to destroy their confidence and reputation. Many are made to feel as though they are “going crazy” after years of coercive control and psychological abuse.

For many victims, escaping the relationship is only the beginning of a different kind of battle.

The trauma follows you.

You spend years rebuilding your confidence, learning to trust people again, trying to sleep without nightmares, jumping every time your phone rings, looking over your shoulder when you leave the house, and wondering whether today will be the day your abuser finds another way to reach you.

Living with Complex PTSD isn’t something you simply “get over.” It affects every part of your life—your mental health, your relationships, your ability to work, your self-worth and even your sense of safety.

What many people don’t realise is that domestic abuse can become so overwhelming that some victims lose hope altogether.

Since 2016, deaths by suicide linked to domestic abuse have been included in Domestic Homicide Reviews because the impact of abuse can be so profound. Recent Government analysis found that almost a third (31%) of the deaths reviewed involved victims who had taken their own lives following domestic abuse. These reviews exist because abuse doesn’t only end in homicide—it can also leave victims feeling so trapped and traumatised that they see no way out. 

Every one of those people mattered.

Every one of them deserved to feel safe.

Every one of them deserved a system that recognised the danger before it was too late.

That is why this campaign means so much to me.

I’m not asking for change because I want revenge. I’m asking because I know what it is like to spend years living in fear, and I know there are thousands of other survivors doing exactly the same.

Too many repeat violent offenders continue to receive chance after chance while victims spend years rebuilding lives that should never have been shattered in the first place.

We need a justice system that doesn’t just respond after another tragedy—it works to prevent one.

Please continue to sign and share this petition.

Every signature is another voice saying that victims deserve better.

Every share could help this message reach someone who has lived through the same thing.

And to the amazing lady who shared her story—thank you. Your courage has reminded us all why this campaign matters. I hope one day we live in a country where survivors are no longer left to carry these burdens alone.

Together, let’s keep pushing for change. 💜