I Didn’t Know I Was a Victim: The Reality of Abuse After You Leave

<p>This episode is not easy listening - but it’s one you need to hear.</p><p><br></p><p>Lorna Allen shares what it’s really like to live through coercive control, stalking, and abuse that doesn’t end when the relationship does.</p><p><br></p><p>From the outside, it didn’t look obvious - there was no single moment, no defined line. Just a slow, confusing change in behaviour that only made sense in hindsight.</p><p><br></p><p>“I didn’t even know I was a victim… until the police told me.”</p><p><br></p><p>In this conversation, Lorna speaks openly about:</p><p><br></p><ul><li><p>Why leaving isn’t the end of the story</p></li><li><p>The reality of coercive and controlling behaviour</p></li><li><p>The daily impact most people never see or understand</p></li><li><p>How systems meant to protect can still leave people exposed</p></li></ul><p>Lorna also shares why she made the difficult decision to go public, and what needs to change to protect others.</p><p>This isn’t just awareness, it’s a lived reality.</p><p>And for many, it doesn’t end when the relationship does.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-allen-cft/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Useful Links: </strong></p><ul><li><p><a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/cornerstonesafeguarding"><u>https://buymeacoffee.com/cornerstonesafeguarding</u></a>  - Every coffee you buy helps us keep creating practical tools and content for safeguarding professionals like you</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>To find out more about Cornerstone Safeguarding - <a href="http://www.cornerstonesafeguarding.co.uk"><u>www.CornerstoneSafeguarding.co.uk</u></a> </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Email us at Cornerstone: <a href="mailto:info@cornerstonesafeguarding.co.uk"><u>info@cornerstonesafeguarding.co.uk</u></a></p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Book in a meeting to discuss your safeguarding needs: </p></li></ul><p><a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ0ZwllED1_R0eAmzurUNbXW6dk92TtCp9BE8oysOnlPwBl3L2vNEooyvSJ3fQaQBk_q1onKflh4"><u>https://calendar.google.com/calendar/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ0ZwllED1_R0eAmzurUNbXW6dk92TtCp9BE8oysOnlPwBl3L2vNEooyvSJ3fQaQBk_q1onKflh4</u></a></p><ul><li><p>Subscribe to Cornerstone Connect - </p></li></ul><p><a href="https://cornerstonesafeguarding.co.uk/resources/cornerstone-connect-sign-up/"><u>https://cornerstonesafeguarding.co.uk/resources/cornerstone-connect-sign-up/</u></a></p><p>- for fresh safeguarding insights, priority access to support, and exclusive discounts. </p><ul><li><p>Chris East on LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-east-801496174/"><u> https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-east-801496174/</u></a></p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Leah East on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-east-cornerstone/"><u>https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-east-cornerstone/</u></a></p></li></ul><p><strong>Producers of this episode:</strong> Chris East, Leah East</p><p><strong>Host of this episode: </strong>Chris East</p><p><br></p>