A charming start can hide a calculated pattern. We open our first Lady News episode by naming the tactics that make emotional abuse so hard to see love bombing, DARVO, fast intimacy and we ground them in a brave, lived-experience story from Leesa Scanlan. Her account traces the slow shift from fairy tale to fear, how late-night conflicts and word salad undermine confidence, and why outside voices can be the mirror you need when self-doubt takes over.

We walk through the power and control wheel to show how small moments add up to a system designed to chip away at autonomy. Then we get practical. You’ll hear how documenting timelines and screenshots supports clarity, how paid family and domestic violence leave can create space to plan, and what it looks like to file a police report even when no crime is charged. For South Australian listeners, we break down the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme , SA's version of Clare’s Law, what information may be shared, the role of the caseworker, and how your own report can be considered in future checks.

Finally, we talk about healing, trauma bonds, and re-entering dating with new eyes. We separate false green flags of excessive praise, constant availability, rapid future plans from the real ones: boundaries honoured, steady behavior, genuine accountability. If your gut says something is off, that’s data worth trusting. For links to resources, support services, and more on the power and control wheel, head to ladynews.com.au. If this conversation helped, please follow, share with a friend who might need it, and leave a review to help others find these tools and stories. Your voice can help someone else feel less alone.

You can find out more about the Duluth Model and the POWER & CONTROL Wheel here .

A great TV series to watch which we found to be relevant to this topic is FAKE. .

Support Services

If this episode raises difficult feelings or brings up personal experiences, support is available. Help is free, confidential, and available nationwide:

1800RESPECT
📞 1800 737 732
🌐 www.1800respect.org.au

24/7 counselling and support for people impacted by family, domestic and sexual violence.

Lifeline
📞 13 11 14
🌐 www.lifeline.org.au

24/7 crisis support for anyone feeling overwhelmed or unsafe.

Beyond Blue
📞 1300 22 4636
🌐 www.beyondblue.org.au

Mental health support, including anxiety, depression and trauma.

Mensline Australia
📞 1300 78 99 78
🌐 www.mensline.org.au

Support for men experiencing or using violence, or struggling with relationships.

Kids Helpline
📞 1800 55 1800

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