It wasn't til around the time DD3 was conceived/born that I realized just how abusive my relationship was. I was about 10 years in by then. I didn't know there were such things as financial/social abuse. I knew all about sexual/physical/emotional, but had never heard of other types of abuse before. I was living with all of them. There were so many times we had no rego on our car, were weeks behind in rent, or simply had NO food just because he took all his money & spent it before he came home. I wasn't allowed to work (I did, but was abused for it all the time). I was questioned when I did the food shopping!!

I would go to a friends house while DD1 was at school (he was away working) & he would count the hours he couldn't get hold of me for (no reception at her house), then I'd get 20+ abusive voice messages come through when I left.

You have the right to leave & you also have the right to take your children away from an environment that is not good for them. Its actually considered abuse to let your children live in an abusive environment (I don't know the details, but it is your duty to protect those who can't protect themselves. Not that I believe they're in any danger, but its something that may help you to know).

You just need to get to that point in your head, where you're ready to leave. Until then, you'll feel like there is no way out, but there is. You just need to want it bad enough.