Woman Feared for Her Life as Abusive Husband Escalated Violence, Made Will at 31

Ceri Owen, a 31-year-old woman from Wales, felt she had no choice but to make a will, fearing her abusive husband would kill her. After enduring years of emotional and physical abuse, Ceri bravely shared her story to raise awareness about domestic violence and urge others to seek help before it’s too late.

At a Glance:

  • Ceri Owen suffered five years of escalating abuse from her ex-husband, leaving her fearing for her life.
  • Despite leaving him, her ex broke into her house and assaulted her in May 2022, leading to his arrest and imprisonment.
  • Ceri now speaks out to encourage other women to recognize the signs of abuse and seek support.

Ceri Owen’s relationship, which started out with subtle forms of control and name-calling, gradually turned into a living nightmare. Over five years, her husband’s abuse escalated to the point where he controlled every aspect of her life, from when she could sleep to when she could bathe. The situation became so dire that Ceri made a will, convinced she would die at the hands of her partner.

“I’d gone from a confident, outgoing person to a shell of myself,” she explained. The abuse became her “normal,” and she began to believe she was to blame for her situation. The turning point came when her boss recognized the changes in her behavior, giving her the strength to leave.

But even after escaping the relationship, the nightmare wasn’t over. In May 2022, her ex-husband broke into her home and assaulted her and her new partner. He had called her 500 times in the days leading up to the attack. Ceri’s ex was eventually charged with assault, coercive behavior, and stalking, receiving a prison sentence of three years and two months.

Ceri has since found new happiness with her partner Ben, but she continues to speak out, urging other women to seek help. “No form of abuse is acceptable,” she says, adding that there are services available to help those in abusive situations.