We meet someone, fall in love, and develop a relationship, but then something happens, and your partner hurts, manipulates or frightens you. Perhaps you address it, but it's denied, or it's somehow your fault, or they apologise and promise it won't happen again. And we all make mistakes, so you trust this person who has hitherto loved you to redeem themselves. But what happens when this becomes a pattern, and you slowly realise you are walking on eggshells and embroiled in a volatile or destructive relationship? Some topics included in this discussion may be triggering or distressing for some listeners. If you need support, please contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.  Beth interviews three brave, astute and articulate women who anonymously speak together to share their domestic violence stories with an intimate partner, how they escaped, and how it has affected their lives.   Topics include:  >         impact of domestic violence >         emotional, physical and sexual abuse >          stereotypes >         family law court >         cross-cultural and class >         overt and covert abuse >          alcoholism >         online connections >         charming, manipulative and deceitful  >          frog in boiling water analogy >          abusive childhood >          emotional dependence >          control - creating dependence >         jealousy  >         preference for a boy baby  >         Obsessed with perfection - “mini-me” child >         perpetrator playing the victim - accusations of affairs and deceit >         relationship models from childhood >         compassion - women brought up to fix things >         emotional investment for love, wanting the dream >          respecting their vulnerability, their hurt, wronged by past partners, comparisons >         shared bank accounts, controlled by the perpetrator >         friends who call out abusive behaviour as enemies, perpetrator criticising them >          isolation >          guardian angel friends >          managing safety for children >          The victim minimises the impact of a person intervening,  as they'll suffer when the abuser takes his anger out on them.  >          monitoring >          cycle of violence >          blinded by social-economic factors >          psychological abuse and coercive control >          physical intimidation >          perpetrators in the police force >          image-based abuse - fake profile - publishing intimate photos online >          turning point  >          leaving means abuse will get worse and putting children in danger >          navigating escape >