Leeway, a shelter from domestic abuse

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Success Stories

Case Study 1

Jane and her son Billy came to Norfolk after moving from another refuge where it was unsafe for them to continue to live as the perpetrator had found them and attacked her wielding a shotgun. Jane received substantial injuries in the attack. Jane and Billy were moved half way round the country to Leeway they were glad to move to get away from the perpetrator, but also felt they had been punished for having to move again and felt that they were on the run even though they had done nothing wrong.

Jane had been with the perpetrator for 12 years and they had 2 children, a son who was older and lived away and a younger son Billy. Throughout the relationship the perpetrator controlled all the finances and Jane had £15.00 a week to support herself and their son while the perpetrator spent nights out with his mates enjoying drinks and meals.

Jane knew that after his night out depending if every thing had gone his way or not, he would come home and find fault with something so he could blame her for being a bad mother, a bad wife and making him angry. He would then rape her and beat her, while her young son was in the next room. Jane fled the family home when she realised that the attacks where more frequent and he started to turn his violence on their son. She fled to her sisters who, with the help of the police helped her find refuge space.

The perpetrator was arrested but bailed, and used many different methods to try a trace her, which he succeeded in doing culminating in the attack that resulted in their move. He has since been found guilty in court and received a custodial sentence.

Case Study 2

Pam and her 4 children arrived at Leeway after fleeing from out of area. One evening the perpetrator held Pam’s head under a bath full of water and threatened her with a knife. Pam and the children had to leave the family home by escaping through a window while the perpetrator was asleep. Pam and the children made their way to the police station. The police then contacted the Domestic Violence helpline and she was found a place in the Norwich refuge.

Pam and the children arrived with nothing in the way of belongings and no money. They where all tired, upset and hungry after a long journey to the refuge.

Pam had lived with the perpetrator for 16years and has experienced physical financial and sexual abuse. On more than one occasion Pam had to attend hospital with her injuries. She had felt that she could not leave the family home as she had not told anyone what was happening to her because he had said he would kill her if she told anyone. She also thought no one would believe her, as the perpetrator had some standing in the local community, and was thought off as a good family guy who loved his family and would help anyone. Pam worried that leaving would have a detrimental effect on her children.

When the violence increased Pam knew she had to find a place of safety as she feared for her life. Pam was very isolated from her extended family and had very little contact with the outside world. The perpetrator would not allow her to work, and kept her in the house, only allowing her to go to do a weekly shop and take the children too and from school. He would check her mobile phone every day, and would also check the mileage on the family car. The perpetrator raped Pam on several occasions and he said that she was his and it was his right.

Pam has said how she would not be able to have moved on as far as she has without the safety of being able to live in refuge accommodation and the support she feels that she has been given by the staff. Pam is rebuilding her life with her children and feels empowered to deal with some issues that before she was unable to. Pam has also realised the effect the DV has had on the children even though he was never violent towards them. The children had seen and heard a lot which Pam had not realised.

Pam has now left the refuge and is in settled accommodation, and is in part time employment. She is aware that he may track her down at some point in time, so is still very suspicious of people, and only has a few people she is in contact with. She continues to implement safety precautions in her life. If he did track her down Pam feels that she can deal with him if he found her, and make statements to police and have him arrested. In the past she said she found this impossible to do.