My dad was very violent to my mum. They used to fight all the time and it really scared me. Because of what I witnessed, I developed anger problems. At a young age, I cracked my mother’s head open with a glass ashtray. That day I’d asked her if I could go out but she said, ‘No’ so I lost my temper and lashed out. I didn’t even feel bad afterwards.
Me and my family were moved round alot after witnessing a murder and trying to get away from my dad. It wasn’t long after me and her family settled in Norwich that my mother was diagnosed with cancer and had to be admitted into hospital. While most people would feel devastated by such news, I was emotionless.
One day, my mum was diagnosed with cancer. I didn’t feel anything; it was like I had no feelings. Social services came to my school and put my brothers and sisters into care but said there was no room for me.
At the age of 13, I was left to fend for myself. I started stealing and selling weed to make money and soon got into a relationship which almost cost me my life.
When we first started going out, he was sweet-he was violent to other people but I didn’t think he would ever hurt me. He beat me and raped me, then pointed a gun at me and threatened me not to tell anyone what had just happened. I was petrified. After the incident whenever I saw him on the streets he would try and run me over with his car.
My family and I had to move to get away from everything.
I thought it would be a fresh start but then I ended up getting bullied at school. At this point I felt so low. I felt like people should have noticed there was something wrong - I used to be bubbly and suddenly I wasn’t - I felt like no one was there for me. I felt alone and fed up, like life was not worth it and I just wanted it to end.My mother sent me back to Norwich to finish my education and to get away from the bullying; but what seemed like a good idea at the time turned out to be a disaster.
