Survivor interviewed for new podcast series

Sam Billingham features in the second episode of Undiscussable, which aims to raise awareness break the taboo surrounding domestic abuse.

The 39-year-old escaped from a physical and psychological abusive relationship in November 2006, after her partner hit her, splitting her lip, as she was carrying their 10-month-old daughter.

Since then she has founded her own charity SODA (Survivors of Domestic Abuse) and helped others who had been through similar experiences.

Sam, from Dudley, said she was pleased to have been given the opportunity to take part in the project,which saw her take Charlie to a male survivors support group.

"I didn't feel judged, I felt she really understood. We know about the stigma that is attached to male survivors and how hard they find it to get help so we felt it was important to get their voices heard as well," she says.

Sam said she found listening to the finished podcast very moving and hopes it will raise awareness and encourage other victims of abuse to speak out.

"I didn't realise how powerful it would be. I hope that if someone is the same situation listens to it, it will give them hope and inspiration and encourage them to speak about it. Hopefully this will be the day they feel they can talk to someone," she added.

Charlie is a survivor of childhood abuse and for the past five years has been a member of the Ministry of Justice victims panel, advising on sexual and domestic abuse.

The podcast series follows the progress of the domestic abuse bill until it was put on hold due to the forthcoming general election.

"I wanted to create something that true, honest and raw. It is for survivors made by survivors and I think it's incredibly inspiring for other victims and survivors," says Charlie.

As well as helping to raise awareness, she hopes talking about experiences will help inspire changes in how domestic abuse in perceived in society.

"Nobody I spoke to got justice. I believe there should be mandatory police training on domestic abuse. The police are the first point of call when victims are in desperate need of help but 85 per cent of victims don't go to the police - why is that?

"We need the police to be helping people. I think there needs to be training and empathy in society so people take responsibility to learn about domestic abuse, understand it and no longer put shame on victims," says Charlie.

Eight-part podcast Undiscussable can be found on Spotify and on Apple Podcast.