Let trusted neighbours
know to call the police on
000 if they hear fighting,
shouting or noises.Have a small escape
bag packed with spare
keys, important papers
and some cash.Keep a diary of abusive
or frightening incidents,
if it’s safe to do so. These
can help if you need to
get a protection order.Ask police to do a
‘security upgrade’ check
on your home.If you have separated
from your partner, change
your routine regularly.Tell your boss and/or
security staff of any
protection orders that
prevent the abuser from
coming near your work.Delete your Facebook
account, or review your
settings to restrict access.Have a computer tech
check your computer for
spyware or keystroke
logging programs.IF YOU’RE
FEELING
UNSAFE
According to counselling
service 1800RESPECT,
you can:- he was demanding to collect
some of his stuff, so I gave it
to him and told him to leave
the property and never return.
After that, he sent me
threatening text messages,
saying I wasn’t safe in my own
home, that he wasn’t sure what
he would do. He told me he had
stolen my keys. I looked at my
keychain – some were missing.
Terrified, I went next door
to my neighbours’ house, who
I didn’t know very well at all
besides saying hi on occasion.
They took me in and calmed
me down while we waited for
police to arrive. That night I
filed for an AVO [Apprehended
Violence Order] and went to a
family member’s place.
The next day, I went back
to work but I was still scared.
I had a feeling something bad
was going to happen, but still
I kept telling myself, “You’re
being ridiculous. Be rational.
He knows there’s an AVO; he’s
going to leave you alone.”
By Thursday, I needed to
feed my cat and get some fresh
clothes so I thought I could
duck home quickly while it was
daylight before going back to
my family member’s place.
When I got home I put on
the telly and had some dinner.
Part of me was thinking, Screw
you! This is my home! I’d already
removed the locks and door-
knobs that he had the keys to.
As I opened my bedroom
door, Paul jumped out from
inside my closet. I screamed
and he grabbed me and put
his hand over my mouth. He
was looking into my eyes and
said, “I just want to talk. If you
stay quiet, I won’t hurt you.”
His eyes looked crazy and he
had a knife in his pocket.
He ordered me into the
bedroom and told me to sit
on the bed. Then he started
interrogating me, asking me,
“Where have you been? You
haven’t been staying at the
house?” I said I was at work
and he replied, “I was at the
hospital, I didn’t see you.”
I thought maybe I could
buy myself some time if I used
the bathroom. He let me use
the loo, but with the door open.
I had my phone and I thought,
Do I dare call police? But then
I thought, He’ll see for sure and
then I’m a goner. The whole
time I’m thinking, How can I
call for help? Nobody’s coming
to help me!
I sat back on the bed while
he continued to interrogate me.
Somehow I managed to work
my way to the edge of the bed
so I was closer to the door.
It became very apparent to
me that he wasn’t just going
to let me go. He seemed very
agitated and angry and I didn’t
know what he was capable of.
It got to the point where I
thought, I can’t wait to find out,
I have to run for it, or die trying.
I made a run for the door,
but he caught me. He grabbed
me and that’s when I saw the
blood from him stabbing me- I didn’t really feel it at all. I
fell to the ground and tried to
put pressure on my wounds.
I struggled to stand up.
Next thing I knew, he grabbed
me again and started pouring
petrol over my head, which
was intense. Luckily, though,
I think it made me slippery
enough that I was able to break
free from his grasp. I made sure
I grabbed the edge of a banister
and swung myself around it so
I didn’t slip over, and then I
ran for it.
When I ran outside, my
neighbour was standing there.
He’d heard me screaming and
had run to his ute to grab a
metal bar before coming over
to the house. I collapsed, but
managed to tell him how to
help my wounds.
[Cosmo note: According
to police, after Angela made
her escape, Paul sped off in his
hire car to Bonville, 150km
away, where he was cornered
by police. At around 9.45pm,
police tasered him as he lunged
at them with the knife, then
fatally shot him.]Moving on
In terms of healing, I’m still
getting there. I have scars and
scar tissue that aches and gives
me shooting pains, mostly in
my leg. He stabbed me 11 times
in total – six times in my legs,
once in my hip, once in my
back and three times in my
forearm and hand.
Mentally, some days are
better than others. My family
and friends have been amazing
and going back to work really
helped. I’ve also been seeing
a psychologist, who has really
helped me. Lately, nightmares
have become an issue. I dream
that I run out of the house and
no one is there. He haunts me.
I have felt what it’s like to
experience violence. It needs
to stop. So in September, I will
hike 65km of the Larapinta
Trail in the Northern Territory
with my dad and brother as a
spiritual healing journey, and
I’m hoping to raise $100,000
for White Ribbon. I believe
what happened to me happened
for a reason, and I’m trying to
make some good come from it.
I try to focus on that.’
If you’re in immediate danger,
call 000. Call 1800RESPECT
for help and advice 24/7. #WHAT TO DO
AS TOLD TO HARRIET MCCREADY. PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL SUESSE/BAUER. HAIR & MAKEUP BY LUCY JACKSON/RELOAD AGENCY
COSMOPOLITAN June 2017 103
cosmo real life