After experiencing ten years of abuse and constant promises from her husband that he would change, Irina ended the relationship in March 2015, after he became aggressive in front of friends. Although Irina sometimes misses the good times that she had with her Prince Charming', she no longer lives in fear or feels like a prisoner in her own home.

Tasha met her abusive ex-partner in 2001. During their nine years together, for six of which they were married, Tasha experienced emotional, sexual and financial abuse. Since the relationship ended in 2010, Tasha has been assaulted physically on two occasions by her ex. At the time of the interview he was continuing to exert control over her through their children, causing her on-going emotional distress.

Sarah met her first serious boyfriend when she was 18. Their relationship lasted two years, during which they lived separately, each at their parents homes. Her boyfriend was jealous and possessive, did not like her seeing friends and questioned her in detail about other men' if she went out. She mistook this as a sign of his love, only realising years later that it was the beginning of his controlling, abusive behaviour.