You helped me leave my abusive, racist husband

DEAR DEIDRE: When my racist husband found out I’d been out with a black guy, he got angry and violent.

He stopped having sex with me and said the thought of me being with my ex made him feel sick.

I’m 34 and he’s 38. We were married for four years.

Before we married he was always kind and respectful, but once he had me, he changed.

I found his racist views repellant, but I was too scared to say anything or to leave.

You told me I was right to want to escape and should seek help immediately.

You sent me your Abusive Partners support pack and suggested I call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (womensaid.org.uk, tel: 0808 2000 27) for advice.

Unexpectedly, you followed up several times, months later, to see if I was OK, which made me feel cared about.

Things got better for a while, and I confided in a friend, who helped.
But when my husband became extremely violent, I called the police and he was arrested.

I’ve now left him and have rebuilt my life.

Thank you for being there, Deidre.

DEIDRE SAYS: Escaping an abusive relationship is never easy. I hope you can now have a calmer and happier life.