Lou was married for over 20 years, but lived in fear every day because of the abuse of her husband. In 2013, Lou made the brave decision to leave; she packed as much as she could and fled. After an abusive threat from her ex-husband, she went to the police to report him. It was here that Lou first heard about Trinity Women’s Services, and the support available for victims of domestic abuse.

Lou took part in the 12 week Freedom Programme course, which works with victims of domestic abuse to help identify the traits of a good partner. Since doing the course, Lou has been able to look back on her marriage and unravel the patterns of her husband, spot the triggers and knows what to look for in a partner.

Lou has been seeing a counsellor at Trinity for the past two years, and will continue to access for ongoing work. She is free from her abuser, but the effects of his actions are likely to affect the rest of her life.

Lou did not know about Trinity Women’s Service until she had hit rock bottom, and is working to ensure that other people who need the services know where to find it.

“I was listening to the radio and they were discussing the abuse storyline happening on The Archers at the moment. No listeners were getting in touch with the show, and I thought that there are probably people listening who need help. So I phoned in, and shared my experiences and told people to contact Trinity if they needed help. If there is one person that I can help, then that is my job done.”

Lou took part in a sky dive in July 2016 to raise money for Trinity, to give back for the support she receives here. “I don’t know what my outcome would have been if I hadn’t come to Trinity. I just didn’t know where to go.”

Lou is currently studying for her degree, working in a new part time job, enjoying spending time with her new partner, and her new-found freedom from the control she has been under for the last 25 years.