Two women in Fermanagh described experiences of domestic abuse involving financial control and coercive behaviour. One woman moved to Northern Ireland with a partner who then controlled all finances after she became pregnant. She could not work and relied on him for everything, including child benefit, as her visa expired.

The partner refused to take her to antenatal classes and questioned her movements after the child's birth. Bank accounts stayed empty, blocking her visa applications. She later accessed benefits but suspected tracking by the partner while he worked in England.

Post-birth, the partner pressured her for sex despite her recovery from stitches and disrupted her sleep with arguments. He questioned her parenting while avoiding childcare himself. She left after months but faced guilt from him about family separation.

Six months later, she contacted Women's Aid for support, including counselling. Another woman with two children from the same man reported worse physical abuse. The partner now uses court for child contact despite minimal involvement, while avoiding maintenance through limited companies. He receives legal aid for proceedings.

A second Enniskillen woman endured over six years in an abusive relationship with coercive control. The partner criticised her clothing and makeup, introduced midweek alcohol and isolated her from friends. She sent multiple daily texts and ate assigned lunches to avoid arguments.

Violence included throat-grabbing and head-smashing against a mantlepiece. Police arrested him after one incident, but she withdrew due to family pressure and promises of counselling. She obtained a non-molestation order and arranged shared custody.

Post-separation, he planted alcohol bottles to undermine her sobriety efforts. She turned to drink during lockdown, leading to child removal. A subsequent violent relationship involved choking and bruising, after which Women's Aid provided refuge. She lost her home, car and job but has since regained employment, sobriety and housing through counselling at the Aisling Centre.