1. A Promising Relationship Turns Toxic
Donna arrived in Australia at 21, hopeful about her future. She reconnected with a man she had known since she was 16—someone she thought she could trust. Their long-distance letters and calls made her believe she knew him well. But after moving to Australia, the relationship quickly turned dark.
At first, it seemed romantic—gifts, flowers, and showing her around. But early warning signs appeared: explosive anger, controlling behavior, and even physical violence. When he threw an object at her, cutting her knee, he blamed stress and work pressures. Donna excused his behavior, believing his apologies and promises to change.
“I thought I knew him, but I didn’t.”
2. Trapped in a Cycle of Abuse
After returning briefly to Hong Kong, Donna was drawn back by his desperate pleas—he claimed he couldn’t live without her and proposed. Hoping for change, she married him. But instead of improving, his abuse escalated.
Emotional manipulation: He threatened suicide if she left.
Isolation: Cut off from family in a new country, she felt alone.
Destroyed self-worth: He convinced her she was useless without him.
“The longer I stayed, the more it destroyed my self-esteem. I felt brainwashed.”
3. The Night That Changed Everything
The breaking point came after Donna gave birth. Her husband told her she was “of no use” and tried to strangle her in her sleep. Her brother, who was staying with them, saved her life.
Fearing the police wouldn’t believe her, she reached out to a community center instead. Their response was clear:
“You don’t need a counsellor—you need to come in. Your life is in danger.”
With their help, Donna and her children fled to a secret refuge, where they were safe from her abuser’s reach.
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