Judy Sharp, 61, from Brisbane, shares motivational stories to inspire others.

Her heart sank when her husband, Mick*, gave her a bouquet of tulips.

For 52 weeks each year, Mick gave her flowers every Friday without fail. While it may seem sweet, it made Judy feel uncomfortable for the rest of the week.

Mick’s jealousy was overwhelming, and Judy felt trapped in an unhappy, controlling relationship.

Things worsened after they had two boys. Mick became so paranoid that he covered their doors with tape to check if she was cheating. His harshest words were calling her a bad mother, which hurt deeply.

Judy felt her sons deserved better, but Mick controlled the finances, leaving her with no way out. One day, as Mick insulted her, he took a picture of the boys and told her it was her last night on earth. When he tried to grab her, she screamed, and the next morning, she left with the boys.

They struggled to find a place to stay, especially since their son Tim had severe autism. After taking money from their account, they managed to rent a place. Although she had no money or job, leaving Mick gave her a sense of relief.

Eventually, Mick stopped hurting her, but the trauma of those years left a lasting impact, especially on their young boys. Despite everything, Judy showed them love and kindness, teaching them the importance of being kind.

Today, Judy is proud of her sons. Tim, 32, is a successful artist, and Sam, 30, is a swim coach who even tried out for the Olympics. Judy now enjoys a fulfilling life with a job she loves and a home with a garden.

She shares her story every year on the anniversary of their escape to let others know they are not alone. The boys are proud of her efforts to help other survivors.