"The only way I'm going to get out of this person's home is in a body bag."

One woman’s terrifying story of being manipulated, lied to and threatened

**Trigger warning: Domestic violence/abuse**

I asked on Instagram recently if people would send me tales of being ‘hoodwinked’ in relationships. I asked, half in a joking way, thinking I’d hear stories of men who lied about being six feet tall, or who told their date they were a pilot when actually they were something way less exciting, or that sort of thing.

Of course, I also thought I’d also get some stories of cheating, which I did, and of some really genuinely cruel deception, which I also did. One story in particular spans almost a decade, involves the Gardaí and I’m currently in the process of writing it – it’s coming soon.

But one story in particular came to me through Instagram, but from someone I know – however I didn’t know ANY of the story she told me, nor could I have anticipated it.

This person I knew as a child and young teen, and haven’t seen since but always liked – we now chat on Instagram the odd time. This story, in which ALL identifying details have been changed to protect her safety and privacy, came to me in an 18-minute long voice note that I transcribed as best as I could.

But know that it is all completely her own words. And she is incredibly brave to share it with me, and with all of us here. You’ll understand why when you read it.