Kirsten Robins, of Long Melford, says leaving her violent former husband was one of the hardest things she has ever had to do.

She was subjected to years of physical and mental abuse but resolved to stay in the relationship until her children had grown up.
"I was in a difficult position, we shared a business, we had a lovely home and lovely children," said Mrs Robins, 60.


"As a mother I had to put my children first and made a conscious decision that I would not do anything until after they had grown up.
"Leaving is the hardest step to take but I am so glad I did."

After leaving her now ex-husband, Mrs Robins moved to Suffolk and resolved to help other women stuck in violent relationships.
She is one of a number of women to appear on a DVD called Survivors' Stories which she hopes will send out a message of hope to other sufferers.

"I want to encourage and support people and to try and give them some hope," she said. "I am a survivor, I have been through it and got away. The DVD will hopefully convince people that they do have the strength to leave and begin a new life, get a job and support themselves. It is possible."

The DVD features accounts from survivors of domestic violence and is the result of a partnership between Babergh Domestic Violence and Abuse Forum and Babergh Council.

Cathy Press, project leader and chairman of Babergh's domestic violence and abuse forum, said: "Every single person who took part wanted to tell their story in the hope that it might help just one other person.
"The interviews are frank, moving accounts of real people, real stories and real lives. This is an exciting project and the launch promises to be new and innovative in its approach – particularly with the virtual launch."
Babergh is also hosting a domestic violence and personal safety awareness day on November 22 in Sudbury.

Information, self-defence demonstrations and advice on how to get help if you are a victim of domestic violence – or know someone who might be – will be handed out from 10am until 2pm, outside the Town Hall.
If you are a practitioner who would be interested in using the DVD as a training tool please contact Babergh's community safety team by emailing community@babergh.gov.uk.

For more information, please visit the pre-launch website at www.person-centred-consultancies.com/page22.htm or call Ann Scott, Community Safety Officer on (01473) 826616.