Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
This Belgian woman has posted photos of facial injuries on social media where she says never again after she was beaten by her abusive boyfriend on the day of her father’s funeral.
The victim, identified as Ellen from the village of Lauwe in the westernmost Belgian province of West Flanders, claimed the latest beating took place in her home after her father’s funeral.
She posted photos of her injuries on social media with the message: “I am not doing this to get attention, but even the day that was dedicated to my father has been taken from me. I will always remember his funeral for this, the day I was hit and stomped on again.
“It was the last straw for me, that’s why I have made these photos public. I realised there was no way back this time, not even for me.”
Ellen said that she met her boyfriend two years ago and that she thinks she has aged about 10 years in that period.
She added: “I had a good upbringing, a good job as a shop manager, and savings in my bank, but since I met him, I have nothing left.”
After getting together, Ellen said: “After a few weeks he hit me for the first time. He then started to cry, said he was sorry and that he would never hurt me again. But every time I forgave him, it turned out to be a reason for him to do worse things.
“I may have been naive, but I thought I could save him.”
Ellen has reportedly been beaten and hospitalised many times, and her partner even attacked her with a knife in February this year.
She explained: “Every time something happened, I reported it to the police, but every time he made me withdraw the complaint.”
After her mother took her to hospital on the day of her father’s funeral, Ellen called the police again.
The police, who have tried to intervene numerous times, said victims must be “willing to accept help” after Ellen had withdrawn her complaints numerous times before.
Police spokesperson Stefaan Vannieuwenhuyse said: “It doesn’t get very far when this lady backs out for unknown reasons and says that everything is all right again.
“We offered her victim support and the district inspector is also aware of the situation.”
The investigation is ongoing.
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