THIS Morning hosts Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond were shocked to hear a woman’s story of living in a violent home.
The caller who went by the name of ‘Samantha’, phoned in to the ITV morning show during the Dear Deidre segment.
This Morning hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary were horrified hearing from a caller about the violent situation she lived in
The beloved columnist regularly appears on the show to offer advice to people who ask for it and today helped Samantha who was trapped in an abusive relationship.
“You have done so brilliantly, what’s keeping you there,” Deidre asked, as Alison asked if it was for “financial” reasons.
Samantha explained how her husband won’t speak to her and how she had tried to leave him but had no money to stay in the council flat she was given.
“He comes home and makes demands… her corners me and he turns everything on me,” she said, which Deidre explained is the indicators of narcissism and coercive control.
Deidre recommended calling the national domestic abuse hotline and offered to speak to Samantha off-air to give her more specific help.
“They can help you start to think of the financial side,” Deidre explained about some of the options available to get help with money.
I would hate to think of you carrying on for the rest of your life in a damaging relationship… it will free your soul if you can find the courage and determination to do that.”
Deidre explained the national domestic abuse hotline spoke not only about physical violence but also coercive control.
“It’s awful. You’re in a living prison,” she told Samantha.
The camera then cut to a horrified Dermot and Alison who promised the caller that Deidre would jump straight on the phone with her after the segment.
While physical abuse might be easier to spot, being on the receiving end of psychological abuse can be just as damaging.
The Serious Crime Act 2015 makes behaviour that is “controlling or coercive” towards another person in an intimate or family relationship punishable by a jail term of up to five years.
