From Coercive Control to Justice: A Survivor's Story and Warning Signs Narcissistic Abuse with Vanessa Reiser

EPISODE SUMMARY In this powerful survivor story, a woman shares her harrowing experience of coercive control and abuse that began in 2015 when, at age 26, she entered a fast-moving relationship with a 49-year-old man. What started with intense love bombing and future-faking quickly escalated into severe control over her clothing, finances, car access, and identity, followed by physical and psychological abuse, self-harm, and a suicide attempt. With help from a friend, she fled to Australia, later trained as a counselor, became a certified narcissistic abuse specialist, and returned to the UK. In 2022, her abuser was sentenced to 19 months in prison for coercive control and given a restraining order. She kept extensive evidence, including threats. She now emphasizes the importance of believing victims, the real danger of leaving, and issues a strong warning about strangulation; often minimized online; as a major red flag and precursor to femicide. Her abuser was later convicted again for non-fatal strangulation with another victim.

KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED Love Bombing and Future-Faking Control Over Clothing, Finances, and Identity Breaking Point and Escape Justice and Keeping Evidence Why We Stay: Trauma Bonds Helping Survivors Heal Strangulation as a Warning Sign Normalization of Strangulation Online Today

TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Trapped And Doubting 00:26 - Love Bombing Begins 01:04 - Control Takes Over 01:33 - Breaking Point And Escape 02:09 - Justice And Evidence 02:31 - Why We Stay: Trauma Bonds 03:05 - Helping Survivors Heal 03:33 - Strangulation Warning Signs 04:39 - Normalization Online Today

CONTENT WARNINGS This episode contains discussions of: Coercive control, narcissistic abuse, love bombing, financial abuse, physical violence, strangulation, self-harm, suicide attempt, and femicide risk.

RESOURCES Connect with Vanessa Reiser: Instagram: @vanessareiserlcsw Patreon: For exclusive bonus content and deeper discussions

Disclaimer: This podcast is for mature audiences and is not a substitute for therapy, legal, or medical advice. Guest opinions are their own and don't necessarily reflect those of the host or affiliated platforms. Produced by Vanessa Reiser and music by Alex Productions "Once Upon a Time".

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