My name is Rowan I am 42 and I have suffered intermittent violence from my wife for many years now.

I heard Ms Cleary on the radio this morning and I was glad to hear someone showing a different slant on domestic violence.

For some time now all I have heard in the media has been how men are the perpetrators in this area and while I know it is important to stop all domestic violence, this has been hard to listen to.

The situation has turned out in my case that my wife now wants a separation i.e. me to leave the home or to sell the family home and for me to support my wife and two
children. Because of a letter from her solicitor I have had to secure a solicitor who tells me that the courts weigh heavily in favour of the woman. I have never abused my wife physically or mentally nor have I ever
taken a second partner.

I know the separation will grievously hurt my children. I cannot understand how when there are four of us in our family, only one person has the veto over the rest of us. I do not deserve to have my children grow up without me or I without them. I know I will have access but that is not the same. I don’t want to be a Saturday Dad.

Thank you for reading this.

Regards
Rowan.