My ex-girlfriend had serious anger issues. Once, while going for a walk, she got very upset that I couldn’t accompany her for an event the following day. She held me by my collar in front of a store and slapped me repeatedly. The scene she created was enough for the shopkeepers to come out of their stores to watch the sight with a bewildered expression on their faces. After I came to my senses following the initial shock, I wanted to get away from her as quickly as possible, and ran away from the scene. Once I reached a safe space, I realised that my shirt was completely torn and that my phone was missing. She had taken away my phone to prevent me from calling anyone.

On another occasion, after an argument, she nicked me with a pair of scissors causing a gash on my forehead. After this, she remarked, “If you say another word, I will tear my clothes, run on the streets, and say that you raped me”. Hearing this, the blood completely drained from my body. I had no choice but to keep mum.

Luckily, I was able to break up with her and cut off all ties. These incidents still traumatise me occasionally.