Redditch mum tells of domestic violence ordeal

Dec 28 2010 by Diane Parkes, Birmingham Mail

EILEEN Myers was eight months pregnant when her boyfriend, and the father of her baby, punched her in the stomach.

The attack, which left her bent over in agony and unable to breathe, was just one of a series of assaults she suffered at the hands and feet of her former partner.

During a two year on-and-off relationship, he punched her so badly she was pouring blood over the cot of her new-born baby, he kicked her leaving vicious bruises and he broke her nose.

When she threw him out, he broke into Eileen’s home and on occasions cut the phone wires, taunting her that she could not even call for help.

But it was when Eileen realised he had also assaulted one of her daughters that she knew she had to get away.

Eileen had known Michael for most of her life as he was a good friend of her brother and they started seeing each other when she was in her late 20s and living in the north of England.

Now aged 63 and living in Redditch, Eileen cannot believe she continued a relationship with such a violent man.

“I actually saw myself as a strong woman because every time something would happen I would throw him out,” she says sadly.

“But I was afraid of him. It wasn’t your stereotypical picture of a man coming home drunk and lashing out. He was cold and calculating. He would send the children out to play before thumping me.”

Eileen had two older daughters from a previous relationship, but felt bound to Michael by their baby: “I was too loyal to him. I felt he had a part to play because he was the father of our baby.”

The police were called to Eileen’s house many times, but she never pressed charges.

“In those days you didn’t,” she says. “It was just expected that you would sort it out.”