After I escaped domestic abuse, my children and I all went into foster care

As my children were sleeping soundly in the next room, I was lying in my own bed when a wave of calm washed over me.

I had just spent the evening with my new foster carer; I knew I could trust her, and she could trust me.

This was when I realised – for the first time in a long time since escaping domestic abuse at the age of 23 – that I was finally free and able to be myself.

You…