A WOMAN who suffered years of physical and psychological abuse from her son has spoken out about her ordeal.

She was routinely bullied, intimidated and physically assaulted over the course of 15 years.

Throughout this time, she was scared of reporting the abuse and feared for her safety if she spoke out.

She said: “I was terrified he’d kill me. He used to hit me and on one occasion he held a knife to my throat.

“The psychological manipulation made me feel like a battered wife.”

The mother, from Essex, has spoken out to praise the county’s police force for the help and support she has received.

In April, she became involved in a heated argument with her son, which quickly escalated out of control.

He grabbed her around the neck with both hands, pushed her against the wall and tightened his grip.

She said: “I could feel myself suffocating. I somehow managed to break free and barricaded myself in the bedroom.

“I called the police and they were here within five minutes.

Thank goodness they were so quick because anything could have happened if he had got into the room.”

The woman states it was the support and guidance she received from police officers encouraged her to press charges.

She said: “The officers I spoke with were brilliant. I got the sense they cared about me and were genuinely concerned. From the moment I made a statement, I felt the weight being lifted off my shoulders.

“I was worried about being thrown to the wolves, but the restrictions that have been put in place are excellent.

“The restraining order put on him means he is not allowed to contact me directly or indirectly which has been really effective, he will do anything to avoid going to prison.”

Chief Inspector Tom Simons, of the public protection unit, said: “Domestic abuse is often thought of as violence between intimate partners.

“This case highlights the fact that the problem is much broader – and that help is available.

“We recognise how difficult it is for victims of domestic abuse to reach out for assistance.

“This is particularly the case when the violence involves a parent and their child.

“In Essex Police we are clear, domestic abuse is taken seriously and victims will be helped, both through our specialist investigators and our dedicated safeguarding teams.

“If you are experiencing any sort of abuse – there is help available.”

For more information on domestic abuse and where to get help, visit essex.police.uk/domesticabuse