Lilly

Between thirteen and sixteen, she was in a controlling relationship. Her boyfriend threatened to hurt himself if she did not visit. After she entered care at fifteen, adults she trusted still encouraged contact despite knowing he had hit her.

She describes a sexual assault involving him and his friend, alongside being restrained, cut and beaten. He called her “damaged goods”, said nobody would believe her because she self-harmed and told her he was the only person who would want her. Kindness after violence and threats of suicide made leaving harder.

She says teachers, family and police knew about aspects of what was happening, but she did not receive enough protection. She wants people to understand how young she was and how much she needed adults to keep her safe.

She is now a mother who wants to protect her daughter, and someone who enjoys reading and games. She has fought for a future beyond what was done to her. Having her experience told truthfully matters, as does keeping authority over her own voice: “No one gets to tell my story but me.”