Holly Willoughby broke down in tears today, as she listened to her This Morning colleague talk about her domestic abuse experience, live on the morning TV program.
Eva Speakman, a therapist on the show, opened up to Holly and Phillip Schofield about the abuse she'd experienced with an unnamed former partner, whilst sitting alongside current partner and fellow therapist Nik Speakman.
Brave Eva revealed details of her former life before meeting Nik and it left Holly, as well as us, reaching for the tissues. Holly looked so upset throughout and seemed unable to continue asking questions, leaving Phil to mostly lead the way.
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During the interview, Eva said the abuse started verbally but soon words turned into violent actions.
She remembered seeing a '"look" in his eye which she knew meant he was going to attack her.
On one occasion, this violence left her hospitalised with damages that affected her speech and co-ordination, leading the hospital to believe she might have permanent brain damage.
Eva explained she was out and about, when her then partner head butted her three times.
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She said: "I just remember excruciating pain that I've never felt in my life.
"Even though there was so much pain physically, and I was really frightened, [I felt] shame, because people had actually seen this.
"I said to my cousin, 'Help me, take me to the hospital'. I was terrified."
Even after the damage her ex partner caused her, he didn't leave her alone. In fact, he turned up at her front door after she was discharged from hospital and when her dad refused to let him in, he punched him in the face and broke his nose.
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It took a lot of strength, but Eva left the partner, eventually feeling sorry for him, despite her trauma.
But inside, Eva is still struggling, something she says is due to not talking about it enough.
Holly asked her through tears: "You've helped so many people and you're living this, and you've got yourself out of this situation, but you're living with this trauma inside.
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"If you can't move on, how can anyone else? Is it possible to move on?"
Eva explained: "I didn't talk about it enough. We're going to talk about it now - the embarrassment and shame. There is no shame.
"If you're listening to me knowing I've been through this - you are the victim, not the perpetrator.
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"One in four women do face some sort of abuse. You have to talk.
"You have to realise it's not your fault," she continued, whilst addressing domestic abuse sufferers at home.
She added: "They won't change. You think you can change them, but they will not change, and it will only get worse."
Rounding things off, Holly thanked Eva for being so open.
She said: "You are so brave. I am full of admiration for you, I really really am."
If you want 24-hour help or advice, contact Womens Aid.
Featured Image Credit: ITVTopics: This Morning, Holly Willoughby, ITV, domestic abuse
