Rachel William's was shot by her husband after 18 years of physical and mental abuse.
Rachel now (left) and Rachel in the hospital after being assaulted by her husband (right)
Rachel was only 21 years old when she met Darren in March 1993. He was described as the perfect 'gentle giant', a charming man who worked as a bouncer at a nightclub.
As their relationship progressed, Rachel saw Darren at times as being vulnerable. He had lost his brother four years prior to suicide, this caused him to suffer from anxiety and depression. She noticed that he had a temper, but thought 'don't we all?'
Soon after a year of dating, Rachel fell pregnant. The next vivid moment of abuse was when she was 7 months pregnant and Darren had lifted her up by her throat after an argument until her lips turned blue.
Rachel began to fear leaving Darren as he would emotionally abuse and gaslight her, making her question everything and tell her she is lucky to be with him. He would often threaten that the only way out for her was in a wooden box.
Darren had started going to the gym five times a week and injecting anabolic steroids, whilst taking a combination of anti-depressants and sleeping pills. Rachel describes his outbursts as a ticking time bomb.
The abuse escalated over the years and Rachel felt like she was only just surviving in her own house.
On July 2011, Darren strangled Rachel and slit his wrists in front of their 16 year old son Jack. A switch went off in Rachel's head and she soon filed for divorce and put their home up for sale.
During the next six weeks Darren stalked and harassed Rachel, often threatening to commit suicide if she did not get back with him.
On 19 August 2011, Darren opened fire at Rachel with a sawn-off shotgun at her place of work, in a hair salon. He then battered her and then fled the salon and went and hung himself.
After six weeks in hospital, Rachel was finally discharged on Friday 23 September. Tragically Jack, her son, committed suicide on Monday 26 September.
Domestic abuse is an epidemic and effects more than just the victim.
My heart broke when Rachel told me her story and I admire her for being so incredibly brave to openly talk about her experience of domestic abuse.
I will be posting a preview of my conversation with Rachel on my Soundcloud soon.