I Needed to Get Away or I Was Going to Die
Essentials|January 2017

Melanie Clarke, 32, suffered violence for years at the hands of her boyfriend. Now she helps women going through the same ordeal.

I Needed to Get Away or I Was Going to Die

When you’re a teenager you just think about the here and now; you don’t think about the future, or whether you’re dating the kind of person you want to spend your life with. I met Jack* when I was only 14. Even from the start he was very controlling. He would give me a hard time if I wanted to see my friends, and would always call to check where I was. I was so young, I wasn’t mentally equipped to deal with the manipulation, and by the time I turned 16, the relationship had become a lot more serious...

Early signs

My parents didn’t like Jack, but I was stubborn and wanted to rebel. He had his own flat, so I’d go round to see him there; he rarely came to my house. The first sign of Jack’s violent streak was when he smashed a mirror with a hammer during an argument. I had never seen anyone behave like that before, so I was really frightened, but I stayed and eventually he calmed down and apologised. I didn’t tell my parents what had happened.

Afterwards, I did think about leaving him a few times, but he would get on his hands and knees, crying. I’d always feel sorry for him and believed he would change. Then at 19, I got pregnant and Jack wasn’t supportive at all – in fact, he became nasty, saying he’d make sure the baby was taken away. Even after our son arrived, he was so irresponsible; he couldn’t keep a job, never had money to help out, and although he said he’d find somewhere for us to live, that never happened either. Eventually, I moved out of my parents’ house to my own flat.

Angry outbursts

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 2017-Ausgabe von Essentials.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 2017-Ausgabe von Essentials.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS ESSENTIALSAlle anzeigen
Find Balance In A Wired World
Essentials

Find Balance In A Wired World

Tech was supposed to make life easier, but have our days got more, not less, pressured? Here’s how to reclaim your time and your sanity by managing your online habits

time-read
4 Minuten  |
June 2020
Essentials

Food To Boost Your Mood

Are you feeling stressed out or lacking energy? Turns out can eat your way to happiness

time-read
1 min  |
June 2020
Are You Eating Your Emotions?
Essentials

Are You Eating Your Emotions?

Lots of us reach for food when we’re down, stressed or tired. Here’s why we do it – and how to break the cycle, fast!

time-read
5 Minuten  |
June 2020
‘I dream of having A VINEYARD'
Essentials

‘I dream of having A VINEYARD'

AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS SCARLETT JOHANSSON ON PLAYING COMPLEX FEMALE CHARACTERS, RAISING HER DAUGHTER AND CO-PARENTING AFTER A DIVORCE

time-read
4 Minuten  |
June 2020
MEAL MAKEOVER 'FRIED' CHICKEN
Essentials

MEAL MAKEOVER 'FRIED' CHICKEN

MEAL MAKEOVER 'FRIED' CHICKEN

time-read
2 Minuten  |
June 2020
FOCUS ON AVOIDING GERMS
Essentials

FOCUS ON AVOIDING GERMS

Staying well has become our biggest priority. Fight the nasties with this expert insight

time-read
4 Minuten  |
June 2020
HOW DO YOU FIND LOVE IN THE MIDDLE OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC?
Essentials

HOW DO YOU FIND LOVE IN THE MIDDLE OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC?

Life as we know it has changed – with social distancing and curfews putting nights out on hold, we find out if romance is off the table, too

time-read
4 Minuten  |
June 2020
DITCH THE GUILT FOR GOOD
Essentials

DITCH THE GUILT FOR GOOD

Are you carrying remorse, regret and guilt around with you? You’re not alone...

time-read
3 Minuten  |
June 2020
DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T LAUNCH MY OWN BUSINESS AGED 40
Essentials

DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T LAUNCH MY OWN BUSINESS AGED 40

BUSY MOM LUCY PARLEY WANTED TO EMBRACE HER CREATIVITY

time-read
3 Minuten  |
June 2020
Don't Tell Me I Can't: Rediscover My Childhood Hobby
Essentials

Don't Tell Me I Can't: Rediscover My Childhood Hobby

Esther Wane realised it was a shame to leave her talents in the past

time-read
3 Minuten  |
April 2020