There are so many charities out there doing great work for women who are victims of abusive husbands – but what about husbands who suffer abuse from their wives?
One man is attempting to change minds on the topic, and has revealed horrifying stories of how his ex-girlfriend went so far as to ban him from using the toilet.
At a glance:
- Gareth Jones, 41, endured severe emotional and physical abuse from his ex-girlfriend, Sarah Rigby, during their nine-month relationship, including being denied access to the bathroom and sleeping on the floor as punishment.
- Jones sought help from the Mankind Initiative, a charity for male victims of domestic abuse, and his ex-girlfriend was later convicted of coercive and controlling behavior, receiving a suspended sentence and a restraining order.
- Jones shared his story to raise awareness about male victims of domestic abuse, highlighting the stigma surrounding men speaking out about such experiences.
Gareth Jones, 41, has spoken out about the abuse he endured from his ex-girlfriend, Sarah Rigby, whom he met online in 2021. Jones, an NHS manager originally from Pontypridd, Wales, described months of emotional and physical torment during their relationship, including being refused access to basic needs like the toilet and being forced to sleep on the floor.
The abuse escalated shortly after Jones moved into Rigby’s home, where he paid £700 in rent and covered all the bills but was denied a key to the property. He was only allowed to be in the house when Rigby was home, and she imposed strict rules on his diet, leading to a significant weight loss of 28kg (4.5 stone) in just two months. He was also subjected to daily verbal abuse, with Rigby threatening to accuse him of assault if he tried to seek help.
Jones shared how the relationship started off as seemingly loving but soon became oppressive, with Rigby controlling his every move. Physical abuse was also a regular occurrence, and Jones recalled incidents of being kicked, punched, and scratched. One particularly harrowing memory involved a trip to London, where Rigby demanded that Jones buy her an expensive handbag, clawing his arm until he bled when he initially refused.
Five months after moving in with Rigby, Jones reached out to the Mankind Initiative, a charity supporting male victims of domestic abuse. The confirmation that he was experiencing domestic violence helped him realize he needed to escape the situation. With support from his family and therapy, Jones has been working to rebuild his life, though he admits the experience shattered his confidence and self-esteem.
Rigby was convicted earlier this year at Chester Crown Court of coercive and controlling behavior, receiving a 20-month suspended prison sentence, a five-year restraining order, and an order to complete rehabilitation.
Jones hopes that by sharing his story, more awareness will be raised about the often-overlooked issue of male victims of domestic abuse, encouraging others in similar situations to seek help.
