From the age of 17 Nessa was in an emotionally abusive and controlling relationship with her children's father. She also experienced physical abuse from a subsequent partner. Although the marks on her skin from the violent attacks she endured have faded, the psychological effects of the emotional abuse continue to impact on her sense of self.

Ana travelled to the UK aged 17 to work as an au pair. She met her partner through mutual friends and they soon started living together at his mother's house. They married and had two children. Her husband controlled her behaviour and isolated her, and Ana endured eight years of verbal and physical abuse until she got a UK residency card when she was able to flee to a women's refuge with the help of the police and Women's Aid. (Video clips played by an actor.)

Kanya met her husband when he was on holiday in Thailand. He returned to Thailand to marry her and the couple settled in England with Kanya's nine year old son from a previous relationship. After five happy years, Kanya endured years of verbal and financial abuse from her husband who lost his job, drank heavily and controlled her behaviour. She eventually fled, alone, to a women's refuge and then to a flat where her elder son joined her.

Liz is now divorced from her second husband who subjected her to physical abuse, controlling behaviour and harassment, as well as abusing their daughter aged seven. Liz did not recognise his behaviour as domestic abuse, since she grew up in a household where physical violence was prevalent. Liz is keen to increase awareness of domestic violence and abuse by speaking out in her workplace and through other networks and is keen to see better support services in place.

Linda's fifteen years marriage to a man who subjected her to physical, emotional and financial abuse ended last year when her ex smashed up the family home, took all her belongings and her money and left. Linda has found it very hard to speak out to anyone at all, despite numerous hospital visits when she made excuses for her bruises, as she felt such a fool to be taken in' by her ex.

Stephanie is now free of her second emotionally abusive relationship but still suffers from nightmares and stress and describes herself as cynical' and less trusting of men. Stephanie met both partners in the workplace. She did not live with either partner. The first relationship lasted six years and the second one only a few months, her previous experience enabling her to recognise the developing abuse sooner.

During her three year relationship Mandy experienced emotional, verbal and sexual abuse. She ended the relationship in autumn 2014 after her boyfriend physically attacked her for the first time. However during the weeks and months that followed Mandy was subjected to a period of harassment. In 2015 her ex-boyfriend pleaded guilty in court to the physical assault, and as an injunction has been issued to prevent him from coming near her, Mandy has been able to start moving on with her life.

Yasmin left Pakistan on her mothers wishes, to join her older sister in the UK. Terminally ill, her mother wished to see Yasmin settled and arranged for her to marry a first cousin living in the UK. Yasmin endure thirteen years of sexual and financial abuse. Her husband's controlling behaviour led her to feel like their home was a prison'. When Yasmin's husband threatened her with sharp knives she fled, with the support of the police and Women's Aid.

Min survived an early relationship with a physically abusive boyfriend. She went on to marry twice and experienced coercive control, financial and sexual abuse, and a form of psychological abuse known as gas-lighting' where her partner twisted information leading her to doubt her own sanity. (Video clips played by an actor.)

Ella experienced emotional, financial, sexual and physical abuse at the hands of three different abusive partners. The first relationship lasted seven years followed by shorter relationships of six months and 18 months. When she eventually became homeless she was referred to Women's Aid, and with their support she has been free of abuse for three years. Ella said that had she known about Women's Aid sooner, and realised that domestic abuse was not just about being physically beaten up', then she might not have continued into further abusive relationships. She now feels she could knock it on the head before it began'. (Video clips played by an actor.)