I fled my violent husband nearly 10 years ago now with 2 children to safety within a womens refuge. I currently work full time in a new relationship doing ok. My youngest has wittnessed horrific violence between his dad and girlfriends during contact which has emotionally affected him, he refused to see his dad 20 months ago feeling unsafe being around him. obviously i have supported his decision and contact has not taken place since. however my son has violent outbursts towards me and is very angry can also be withdrawn which i find very difficult to deal with. His dad applied to the courts for contact which has been on going for nearly 15 months now, i feel very alone with this not getting any support from any proffessional bodies with the court hearing or my son.  it seems to me that being a victim of domestic violence  never  leaves,  feeling punished for doing the right  thing for myself and my children. WHY Do we  keep running and why is no one listening to my son

This subject is also very close to my heart as on 5th June2008 I fled my now ex-partner from domestic violence. Since then my whole life has just got worse, an i would like to know, who is really there to help us. I have tried everything you could possibly imagine to get my life back on track, an absaloutely everyone has made my situation harder. I went into refuge an actually got kicked out in a disgusting manner which was due to no fault of my own and made homeless. LIving in a womens refuge is very hard as you could imagine. There are staff there, apparently to help,however, not I or any other girls in the house got their lives made easier during our time in the refuge. I fear that I will never get back from this horrible place that im in,as no-one wants to take responsibilty and actually help the girls.I was made a victim,and seem to get treated worse than the defendant, I can honestly say I would rather have been put in prison rather than being out here on my own. So many things have gone wrong since my ordeal and I just want to know, when will the system change, its no wonder why all these women go back to their violent partners, i know if i didn't get a sentence i would have gone back!!...Better the devil you know, than the devil you dont!!...

Its so unfair, Human Rights??.....what is wrong with this world!!