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S2 E28: Melika Ackinclose |The Ultimate Betrayal - PART 1
Description
Melika Ackinclose takes us into a childhood filled with love, connection and family — memories of a dad who showed up for her through sport and built a lasting impression of what it takes to dig deep.
At a young age Melika became a mum, and what she believed would be a life built around love and family slowly turned into something much darker. During her pregnancy, the cracks began to show, and before she knew it, she was trapped in an abusive relationship.
What followed was a life lived in fear, control, isolation and manipulation - Domestic violence.
A toxic and volatile home where she was constantly trying to protect her now two children while quietly falling apart herself. Her mental health spiralled to a place where she no longer wanted to live, yet she continued to give the man she loved chance after chance — hiding the reality from her family and desperately trying to hold her world together.
The moment came when Melika realised that if she wanted to survive, she had to choose herself.
She bravely shares the choices she made to finally escape, the terror of leaving, and the heartbreak of discovering that freedom didn't mean the pain was over.
Because on the other side of that relationship was another person close to her — someone she trusted, someone who should have been safe, but who would leave her facing another form of manipulation and abuse.
This is not an easy story to hear. It is raw, confronting and heartbreaking. But beneath the pain is a woman who refused to stay broken. A mother who fought to survive. And a woman who, after years of fear, finally began to understand that choosing herself wasn't selfish — it was survival.
This is Melika's story. Part One.
*For anyone seeking support you can ring: 1800RESPECT
Trigger Warning: This episode may contain stories, experiences, or discussions that some listeners may find confronting or triggering. Listener discretion is advised.