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Episode 28 - How to bounce back from the toughest of relationships with Sam Billingham
Join me as Sam shares her story of thriving again after living and escaping domestic abuse, and how she went on to create SODA an online community giving women on a similar journey a safe supportive space to connect and feel heard and understood.
What we cover
- How love at first sight and moving in with the man who claimed to love and care for Sam quickly turned into her being abused, controlled and manipulated
- Losing the job Sam loved due to being locked inside her flat
- How Sam felt that by doing everything perfectly for her abuser meant she was safe for another day
- The impact of being controlled and abuse left Sam losing her identity, friends, family and her job
- How being slapped whilst holding her 10 month old daughter was Sam's breaking point
- The importance of raising awareness of domestic abuse and how recognising the subtle signs could help save someone else
Mentioned in the episode
More about Sam
Abused, controlled and manipulated by the man who claimed to love her. Sam Billingham lost her job when her perpetrator locked her in the flat and threw her mobile phone out of the window. She was timed when she went to the toilet, there were always consequences whenever she contacted her mum, her clothes cut up and perfume sold if she dared to leave. Her perpetrator slapped her for the last time in November 2006 when he split her lip as she held their 10-month-old daughter in her arms. She was dragged through the Family Court when the violent alcoholic applied for contact and parental responsibility. Sam had to undertake an alcohol, substance misuse and psychological test - even though she was a victim of domestic abuse and her perpetrator was using his own daughter as a weapon to still control her. In May 2009 Sam set up her own support group called SODA, which provides ongoing aftercare and support to those who have experienced domestic abuse. She donates her time and experience to raise awareness and reduce isolation. Sam has many platforms where she shares her personal experience to raise awareness for others. She writes a regular column for a local newspaper, she is an Ambassador for a local domestic abuse charity and soon will have her own weekly radio slot, whilst still running her online support group. Sam is now in a happy place as a full time mum and part time administrative assistant.
Contact details:
@sammieb1980
