'I fled my violent ex. So why do I feel like I'm the one in prison?'

Katie looks at her new bedroom. A tired single bed dressed with sterile sheets, a wardrobe, and a sink. As the door shuts behind her, she's left to dwell on how her life has changed.

A few months ago, she had a full-time job and a tight circle of friends and family. But now she's been forced to take shelter at a women's refuge in Greater Manchester, miles from home.

The mum-of-one was told to flee for her own safety, after her violent ex-boyfriend made threats to kill her and her family. She didn't want to leave, but felt she had no choice.

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Katie, which is not her real name, had never lived in a refuge before. She'd not spent much time imagining what it would be like - but her expectations were much better than the reality.

Although she knows it's the best way to keep her and her family safe, Katie says the past few weeks have taken a huge toll on her mental health, comparing her bedroom to a 'prison cell.'

And she claims the lack of support she's received since arriving three weeks ago has left her feeling isolated and desperate.

The Manchester Evening News is not naming the refuge or its location, in order to keep Katie and other residents safe.

But she felt compelled to share her story, and shed a light on how hard it is for women fleeing abusive relationships, and sadly, why some feel they have no choice but to go back.

"I had no idea where I was when I arrived," Katie recalled. "A lady showed me around and asked if I had any pots and pans; to which I said no, I have nothing.

"She told me to leave it with her but after two weeks I still didn't have anything to cook with. They did a food bank order for me which consisted of a few tins. Otherwise I was relying on the