A WOMAN whose husband controlled her every move and belittled her every day is praising new laws making psychological abuse illegal.

The 34-year-old mum-of-three from St Helens, who will remain anonymous, was with her now ex-partner for 17 years.

She says the abuse started slowly and gradually got worse as they moved away from her family and friends.

She felt trapped in the relationship, after her reports to police led to nothing due to coercive control not being against the law.

However, new changes to the law now recognise that domestic abuse can take several forms and is not strictly limited to physical violence.

She's hoping that by sharing her story, others in the same situation will take advantage of the law change.

She said: "My relationship with my ex partner was controlling from the beginning.

"I didn't see it at first, it started small like needing to know where I was all the time and it gradually grew from there.

"I got pregnant really quick with my eldest and that is when the abuse stepped up really.

"I couldn't go out without him or without having to meet him at some point.

"He put a tracker on my car and used Find My iPhone to know where I was all the time

"Still I didn't leave and went on to have two more children with him.

"I reported incidents but police couldn't do anything then we moved away for his work and it got so much worse.

"He never restricted me financially, he had a good job and provided a good life for the children.

"It's hard to leave and take that away from them.

"On one occasion I went to my friend's house and he text me every few minutes saying he couldn't believe that I left him with the kids, I needed to come home and that my kids didn't love me.

"He belittled me in every way possible until one day it led to physical violence."

That incident was the final call for her, and her partner was arrested. However, she made numerous calls to police about the emotional and controlling abuse, but at the time nothing could be done.

She added: "After I left I was offered support for me and the children and I realised that the abuse started right from the beginning.

"It starts small, like putting you down but it will always get worse.

"All the abuse before that final event is not on his record, but at least now other people going through this can be helped and not be stuck in the cycle of abuse like I was.

"I want young people, like my daughter, to know that this is not ok - speak to someone, a family member or friend, and get out.

"Now this is law it will make a huge difference.

"I'm happy it's in place I just wish it came in sooner."