Isabelle Richards has opened up about how she was a victim of domestic violence in the hands of a former partner.
The Gogglebox star shared her story following the news that Sam Wood had been arrested on serious alleged domestic violence charges, including strangulation, following an alleged altercation with his wife Snezana on October 3.
He has denied the charges and will apply for bail to the supreme court in November
When the news was revealed, Isabelle shared her own experiences with domestic violence on social media.
“It’s happened to me,” she shared.
“An ex-boyfriend put his hands around my throat, more than once,” she continued.
In an interview with New Idea, she shared that she has been on an “emotional journey” in the weeks following the news.
“I thought I’d healed since it happened to me but what I saw in the recent headlines, to me, was my story too,” she explained.
“I was in a relationship that outwardly looked happy, healthy and stable. But I was compelled to talk about what happened to me because DV can happen to anyone, anywhere. Whether they’re in the public eye or not. I was that woman too.”
Isabelled said that she told no one, not even her mum Kerry and late grandmother Emmie, about what was happening.
“It didn’t come out of the blue,” she recalled.
“It would start with things like throwing objects or driving erratically during an argument. I blamed myself because I’m a very expressive and fiery person when it comes to communicating and I like to talk things out and explain how I’m feeling and that was slowly shut down – with violence. I quickly learned I was not safe to express myself any more.”
When her former partner strangled her, she said she went into “shock and denial.”
“I said to myself ‘did that actually happen’ but because I didn’t lose consciousness or have bruising I questioned if it was really as bad as I thought it was. I even blamed myself because I told myself ‘I’d pushed him too far.’”
When she finally left the relationship, she met a man who pointed out that she did not deserve to be treated like that.
“He was the first person who I told about what was happening and he made me realise that I deserved love in a more healthy way. He also made me realise that there are men out there who don’t treat women like that.”
Isabelle, who is now married and shares two kids with her husband Alex Richards, said they are working to model a healthy relationship for their children.
“When I re-partnered it was so important to me to try to communicate – and argue at times – in a healthy way – with my husband,” she said.
“These days, I’m still fiery and expressive – I’m myself – because I know it’s safe. Too many women aren’t so lucky.”
Isabelle hopes that her story will help someone who may be experiencing DV, saying: “if it helps just one woman at all, then I’m happy to speak out.”
Need to talk to someone? Don’t go it alone.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Readers seeking support can also contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.
Image: Instagram
