A woman who was controlled by her ex-partner for almost two decades has spoken of a lifeline service that "saved her life".
The Knowsley woman, known as Carrie, was forced to stop seeing friends and family and was given small amounts of money for food and bills. Being exposed to extreme financial and coercive control for 18 years, she was not aware it was abuse, but said she felt "trapped, scared and confused".
She bravely told the ECHO that the abuse had a severe impact on her own mental health, and that of her children and would have to account to her ex-partner for every penny she spent. Eventually ending the relationship, she said it was during this time she became aware of the "abuse and trauma suffered".
