Brave divorcees

I AGRee with Dr Max Pemberton (Mail) that many people seek a divorce far too quickly, but spare a thought for those of us who had no

choice. I was married for 15 years, the last ten of which were a nightmare. My ex was an alcoholic with an unstable temper and threatening behaviour. he had so successfully convinced me I was useless, it took me a long time to pluck up the courage to leave him.

My children were at risk, as I was. he spent all our money and our friends, both adults and children, were afraid to visit.

When we separated, I lost the house because he had remortgaged it twice and I couldn’t afford the repayments. I received no money from him, despite a court order.

We were offered social housing, for which I was very grateful. I managed to keep the children at the same school and deliberately avoided dating, so there were no ‘uncles’ visiting. Our friends felt safe enough to come back.

As a family, we made a success of our new life and my three children, now grown up, are wonderful people despite their difficult early years.

I suffered enough guilt with everything that happened, as many others do. So please, Dr Max, spare a generous thought for us.

Name and address supplied.