Domestic Abuse Survivor: Escaping My Husband
7/1/202618 min
At 17, Natasha Saunders met John: an older man who swept her off her feet with his flattery, charm and constant communication. Within a few months, the new couple had moved in together, gotten engaged and were due to have a baby. This sudden escalation marked the beginning of an eight-year marriage marred with relentless, complex and multifaceted abuse -- until Natasha eventually hatched a plan to escape and report her husband to the authorities. Now, she is a dedicated campaigner, consultant and public speaker, drawing on her personal experiences of domestic abuse and coercive control to advocate for change.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify now.
Support Resources:
National Domestic Abuse Helpline -- 0808 2000 247
Refuge -- refuge.org.uk
Women's Aid -- womensaid.org.uk
In this brand-new series, Zara sits down with people whose lives have been shaped by extraordinary experiences. From surviving life-changing events and escaping dangerous situations to stories of crime, cults, and shocking split-second decisions, each guest shares their story with complete honesty. Raw, candid and deeply personal, these are the stories you won't forget.
This story may include sensitive themes. Please listen with care. The experiences and views shared belong to the individuals involved and reflect their own experiences and beliefs.
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Produced by South Shore Productions
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpeaker 10:00
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Speaker 20:24
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Speaker 30:53
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Natasha Saunders· Guest0:56
[tense music] I knew I had to go because my life depended on it.
Zara McDermott· Host1:00
At 17, Natasha was swept up in a fairy tale romance that would change her world forever. What initially attracted you to John?
Natasha Saunders· Guest1:08
He was 14 years older than me. He was charming. He was texting me multiple times an hour, and that smothering felt flattering.
Zara McDermott· Host1:17
But it wasn't long before this relationship took a darker turn.
Natasha Saunders· Guest1:20
[tense music] He had full control. I wasn't allowed to make eye contact with people. I wasn't allowed to interact. He would withhold water for 12 hours at a time. He turned around with an intimate image of me and was like, "You're