My Husband Raped Me

Leaving an abusive relationship is rarely as simple as walking away. Sometimes the forces keeping someone trapped aren't fear alone—they're love, loyalty, children, and the hope of protecting the family they never had. In this episode of The Shadow Sessions, Hiba Balfaqih speaks with Kathleen, whose former husband was convicted in 2024 of rape and coercive control. After years of abuse, Kathleen waived her legal right to anonymity so that he could be publicly identified, choosing to tell her story in her own words. This conversation explores the psychology of coercive control and why survivors often remain in abusive relationships despite the harm they endure. It examines how childhood experiences, attachment, and deeply held values can be manipulated by an abusive partner, turning love and commitment into mechanisms of control. Rather than asking, "Why didn't she leave?" this episode asks a different question: "What made leaving so difficult?" Hiba and Kathleen unpack the hidden dynamics of psychological abuse, trauma bonding, and the lasting impact of living under coercive control. This episode is about understanding, accountability, and recognizing that abuse is not defined only by physical violence—but by the systematic erosion of autonomy, safety, and identity.

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Jaksot(39)

Every 7 Seconds this Happens To A Girl

What happens when the people who love you believe that harming you is an act of protection? In this episode of The Shadow Sessions, Hiba Balfaqih speaks with Hoda, who was seven years old when her fa...

24 Syys 1h 18min

"I Saw Who Killed My Mom at 3 Years Old"

What happens when the first truth you ever tell is the one no one believes? In this episode of The Shadow Sessions, Hiba Balfaqih speaks with Jade, who was just three years old when her mother was mu...

20 Syys 1h 14min

He Could Kill Her So Why Did She Stay?

Some conversations don't end when the cameras stop rolling—they deserve to be unpacked. In this episode of The Notebook, Hiba Balfaqih reflects on her conversation with Annesa and explores the psycho...

3 Syys 11min

Phycologist Answers Your Questions

In this special Q&A episode of The Shadow Sessions, Hiba Balfaqih answers listener questions covering a wide range of topics. Rather than offering quick answers, Hiba approaches each question with cu...

27 Elo 12min

The Abuser Was Never A Stranger

We've spent generations teaching children to fear strangers. But the evidence tells a different story. In this special reflection episode of The Shadow Sessions, Hiba Balfaqih revisits the stories of...

20 Elo 17min

The Most Shocking Moments - Part 2

Some moments stay with you long after the conversation ends. In this special episode of The Shadow Sessions, Hiba Balfaqih revisits some of the most powerful and unforgettable moments from the series...

13 Elo 28min