A question that sowed a seed and helped me see the truth.

"I don't think I would have ever opened up about the domestic violence if it hadn't been for the antenatal nurse who clearly saw some clues and asked. I denied everything then, said everything was fine, I was safe at home and he was the nicest man. But the question stayed with me and sowed the seed."

I had long felt my mental and physical health deteriorating. His behavior was very unpredictable and I was always on edge, trying to act in line with his expectations and possible reactions. I knew I needed to talk to someone, but the shame was so great.

I had been following the stories of women in the MeToo movement and admired their courage. It took two years before I worked up the courage to schedule an interview at the Women's Shelter.

I, who had always had good self-confidence, was now plagued by anxiety and a lot of self-doubt. Was I perhaps as difficult, dramatic, impossible as he regularly mentioned? The thought of divorce was difficult. We had bought a house, we had a small child and maybe he could change.

But I felt I couldn't do it anymore and I couldn't put my child through this situation. It saved me to get counseling and support to take the step.

"No one deserves to live with violence, and the shame was certainly not mine. I know that now."

While the story shows how difficult it can be to acknowledge violence and take the first steps out of it, it reminds us how important it is for women to receive listening, advice and support at the right time. Supporting the work of the Women's Shelter makes it possible to provide women and children with safety and assistance when they need it most.