'One night I smiled at a man in a bar. I sleep with a weapon in every room now'

When Alison and her friend entered a busy Manchester bar on New Year's Eve, a lively optimism was in the air. It was 2018, on the turn of 2019, and spirits were high with the anticipation of what was to come.

In the haze of the evening, Alison met Callum. She was immediately drawn to his 'charm' and good looks, and, as the two danced as midnight chimed, she couldn't help but feel that perhaps the new year had brought something special. The two entered into a relationship in January 2019, and for the first few months, Alison believed she had found a kind and loving man who understood her and cared for her.

But her illusion was shattered within months when Callum became violent after she smiled at another man in a bar. From then on, Alison says the relationship became increasingly abusive, with Callum even spending time behind bars for assault on her in 2020.

Now separated from Callum, Alison says she has been forced to move in order to conceal her address from him. He is awaiting a trial on charges of breaching a restraining order which Alison alleges happened in October 2023, but she has been told the trial will not take place until August 2024.

While she says Greater Manchester Police have been 'amazing' throughout', she claims she 'lives in fear' of Callum tracking her down before his court date - and that she feels the courts are not doing enough to protect victims of domestic violence like her.

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"I'm afraid to have my TV on too loud," she said. "I keep a hammer behind my door. My windows are all covered up, I have a weapon in every room. I shouldn't be living like this - I should be living in peace."

Alison told the M.E.N she can't help but feel