174 {Alyson Richelle} Why I Didn’t Know I Was in an Abusive Relationship

Try our FREE burnout quiz. Grab your burnout workbook HERE.  If you would like us to work with your team book a 30 min chat HERE.   Every time we talk about domestic violence and sexual abuse on this podcast the story is different, and this episode is no different. Alyson Richelle is a former Senior Sergeant with the NSW Police turned lived-experience advocate, speaker, and founder of What They Don’t Tell You, a movement amplifying the voices of survivors and exposing the hidden impacts of coercive control, invisible disabilities, and systemic failure. Alyson has lived both sides of the system, professionally as a frontline officer, and personally as a survivor of domestic abuse, chronic illness, and the relentless aftermath of post-separation trauma. She’s also a mother of three neurodivergent children and a tireless advocate for those navigating broken systems like Family Court, NDIS, Centrelink, housing, and worker’s compensation. Her work calls attention to the often-unseen abuse that continues after the violence stops through silence, disbelief, and bureaucracy. In this episode she shares:What drew her to join the police forceThe biggest challenge she faced during her 15 years in the policeWhat it was like being in a coercive and abusive relationship without realisingHer story of sexual abuse and how it is often dismissed when it occurs in a marriageWhy her abuse was dismissed and the flaws in the system preventing people from getting helpWhat we need to change to prevent her story being repeatedThe meaning of coercive controlWhat was the hardest part about being in these abusive relationships while still in the police forceHer biggest lesson from this experience   Key Quotes “Especially being a young female you became a real big target.” “Sexual abuse in a marriage is so dismissed, it's like the other person has a right.” More about Alyson Follow her on Instagram, Linkedin and her community.   You can get involved with the podcast online On facebook in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/challengesthatchangeus Or on Instagram: @challengesthatchangeus If you want to contact the podcast, email us here: support@challengesthatchangeus.com Or check out our website: www.Challengesthatchangeus.com If you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website: http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.