"No decorations or Christmas tree was allowed in their country bungalow that overlooked the rolling fields of north Kerry, just a couple of miles from Listowel. The scenic landscape brought little comfort when the only guarantee was physical and emotional abuse. Jennifer met him when she was 17. He was 26. Their relationship was grounded in secrecy from the beginning as her family disapproved of the age difference."
"Looking back, the red flags were there from the beginning. From the get-go our relationship was kept a secret, he was always the controlling one because he was older and had the money. I got married to him young and it escalated from there. We bought a house together and soon after the baby was on the way - all the milestones couples take for granted. Then he changed and became very physically abusive and violent."
Jennifer began a secret relationship at 17 with a man nine years older. The relationship progressed to marriage and parenthood, but quickly became controlled and abusive. The man cultivated a respected public image through charity work and socializing while inflicting physical violence, emotional cruelty, and coercive control at home. He isolated the household, forbade simple comforts, and used apologies, false counselling claims, and suicide threats to manipulate and prevent departure. The abuse persisted across sixteen years together, leaving Jennifer fearful that others would believe his public reputation rather than her experience.
Read at Irish Independent
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