Dear Laura,
Your energy, compassion and expertise is phenomenal. And your interview with Breanna was very powerful. I can feel the difference you will be making for people who listen to your discussions. I agree with you about Breanna, she is absolutely awe inspiring, so truly authentic and, wow, so brave and strong in the midst of such hatred in a system so wrongly rigged against her. Breanna is powerfully inspiring to keep on with her life after losing her beautiful little Corey and suffering abuse after abuse, not just from that monster, but from the authorities who failed believe her and failed to protect Corey.
I am so pleased you two got together and I hope she will update with another interview at some point along her journey.
I lived with a coercive controller during what was supposed to be a marriage in the 1990's and he tried to devalue me during the divorce too, and, well, I got away from him but it almost took my life from his persistent abuse - he drove me to try to take my own life.
In addition to the coercive control marriage I have experienced abuse and been in danger with men. I experienced taking one case to the police but the local press jumped on it and sensationalised it, and I had the article removed from online.
I didn't report the next dangerous situation I was in even though I met with two very dangerous situation and one serious attempt on my life, or so my garage said when they found my vehicle had been seriously tampered with - and that particular monster has not been held to account although I later discovered he had served a 2.5 year sentence for almost killing his wife. I gave up trying to meet someone after that (12 years ago). I mention this because of your discussions on coercive control and women being afraid to report to police.
However, listening to Breanna, leaves me in total awe of her. It's vital that coercive control is written in law worldwide and I thank you for all of the work you have done and continue with. I admire how you speak out and say the truth. I hope that Breanna is successful with challenging the authorities who should have protected Corey. I viewed Brianna's victim impact statement which was so powerful, authentic, articulate and everything she said was absolutely justified. She shows so much love, great courage and strength.
Lots of love and best wishes
Louise