I was 26 in my first serious relationship. I stayed for almost a year. We moved across country to a small rural community and our roommate helped me realize the seriousness of the violence. We split but six months later I moved back across country and stayed another four months before leaving for good.
There was some physical violence but mainly it was psychological torture. I worked and supported both of us. I was never allowed to sleep more than three hours at a time. I was restricted from eating. I was not 'allowed' to have contact with people from my past or do anything unless accompanied. My managers were called and I was fired from two jobs because of this. There were constant threats of suicide if I did anything outside of the stated boundaries.
There was some physical violence but mainly it was psychological torture. I worked and supported both of us. I was never allowed to sleep more than three hours at a time. I was restricted from eating. I was not 'allowed' to have contact with people from my past or do anything unless accompanied. My managers were called and I was fired from two jobs because of this. There were constant threats of suicide if I did anything outside of the stated boundaries.