Domestic abuse survivor: ‘It started with love bombing and ended with him holding me hostage’ After being held prisoner for a week in her flat, Esther finally escaped to her mother, who didn’t recognise her daughter when she opened the door.
In hindsight, she now recognises his behaviour as ‘love bombing’ – showering someone with grand gestures to win their trust and affection – but at the time, Esther was lured in due to previous failed relationships having left her vulnerable.
Esther says she had always wanted to have someone who loved her and was fully committed as soon as he said those three words.
Her new partner could not afford to lavish her with expensive gifts but would keep telling her she was a beautiful person and send her romantic lines he had found on the internet.
Because of my upbringing, I think I just wanted to have the family dynamic because I was lacking love from some family members growing up.”.
