I saw the signs but had a hard time taking the step.

"I met my husband on Tinder when he was serving time for assaulting his child's mother. Of course, I should have seen this big red flag, but he convinced me that he was innocent and that this woman was completely crazy. I believed him and definitely joined him in making this woman's life miserable. I regret it a lot now that I've realized what my husband is like."

When he was done serving his sentence, he moved in with me. He had no place to live and no property, he was a bit of a bag man. We got married and then the physical abuse started. He attacked me on our wedding night.

Shortly after, I got pregnant. It all happened so fast and was so overwhelming that it felt like all my power was being taken away from me. I know I need to get out of this but I can't. I was also so scared of him and what might happen.

We didn't make a deal when we got married. I had an apartment and a car then. He always threatens that he's going to take everything from me.

I can't imagine my child being alone with him and me nowhere near him. I always take care of everything in the house and the child. For example, my husband can't wake up in the morning with the child. He just sleeps and the child does whatever he wants or he puts the boy in front of a screen to get some peace. The child is still so small.

When I put this out he goes crazy. Like I said he can't wake up in the morning. He always tells me to wake him up but when I wake him up he gets angry and I'm like between a rock and a hard place. If I wake him up he goes crazy but if I don't he goes crazy too.

"I've started reading up on abusive relationships and my husband really ticks all the boxes. I see it all but I'm just having such a hard time taking the step."

While the story shows how complex and difficult it can be to escape an abusive relationship, it also reminds us that it is important for women to receive advice, support and a safe haven when they are ready to take the first step. By supporting the work of the Women's Shelter, we can provide women and children with safety and help when they need it most.