Gaslighting, love bombing, surveillance, financial and coercive control - these are just some of the most common forms of non-physical abuse against women.

And former professional Australian basketballer Alex Bunton knows all about it. Alex met her perpetrator at the height of her career having just won a World Cup silver medal with the Opals - but also at a time she was most vulnerable. She’d had 11 knee surgeries and knew she’d soon have to retire.

She explains how her perpetrator cut her off from loved ones, made her think she was crazy, and drained her bank account on her birthday, while she was pregnant. … a period of deep shame and isolation followed.

Alex, alongside seven other victim-survivors, has joined with Future Women to be part of season 2 of the award-winning podcast series, There’s No Place Like Home, to share their experiences and to raise the question: would you notice the red flags of an abusive relationship? That nagging feeling that something is not quite right.

In today’s chat with Alex and Future Women’s Founder and Managing Director, (and all round media queen), Helen McCabe, we discuss how to spot the red flags; the steps to take to transition towards safety; and also how to help loved ones in need - without them feeling shame or judgment.

Content note: This podcast includes descriptions of family violence and may be upsetting to some listeners. If you have experienced or are at risk of domestic and family violence and/or sexual assault, you can call the national counselling service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

SHOWNOTES

There's No Place Like Home podcast by Future Women: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/theres-no-place-like-home-by-future-women/id1608086343

Future Women website: https://www.futurewomen.com/home

Follow Alex Bunton: @alexandra_bunton_

Future Women Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FutureWomen/

Future Women Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurewomen/

We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we have recorded this podcast, the Darug people. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

We love that you're listening! Thank you. 'And We're Rolling' is produced by Habari Productions and Stephanie Hunt Media.
You can find more words of wisdom on our website stephaniehuntmedia.com and join us on substack at rollingwithstephaniehunt.substack.com and on our socials at @stephaniehuntmedia.
We truly appreciate you.