Brave TOWIE star Leah Wright has revealed that she left an abusive relationship and is now working with specialist charity Refuge to help other women experiencing and escaping domestic abuse.
In a video released to the charity’s social media page Tuesday afternoon, the former reality television star and mother-of-three, admitted that it had been a ‘long and emotional fight’ that had taken a ‘lot of strength.’
Fighting back tears, Leah, 45, said: ‘When you are manipulated that much that you are scared to leave, the first thing is you don’t know where to go. Do I call a number? Am I going to get caught calling that number?’
The Refuge video, entitled Leah’s Story: leaving an abusive partner, labels her a survivor.
Leah did not name her abuser.
Brave TOWIE star Leah Wright has revealed that she left an abusive relationship and is now working with specialist charity Refuge to help other women experiencing domestic abuse
She said in the clip: ‘For many years I went through life not thinking about evidence, not thinking about anything – not knowing laws, not knowing if I can get help from the government, not knowing that I would be okay.’
Leah continued: ‘And I think that is a message that I just want to give, that you are going to be okay. I’ve gone through court, and I was believed in the end, it was big fight, a long fight, an emotional fight, and it took a lot of strength.
‘When you’re manipulated that much that you are scared to leave, the first thing is you don’t know where to go. Do I call a number? am I going to get caught calling that number?
‘There is help out there. Please don’t feel alone we always have so many resources.
‘Refuge are a brilliant place to start if you need to call, and talking to that person who’s so understanding really helped me.
‘You don’t have to make a decision right then, you know, you can call several times until you feel confident enough to go.’
Refuge thanked Leah for sharing her story to their followers in the social media post.
The charity is continuing with its Summer Escape Appeal – as 18,000 people contact them every month – to help more domestic abuse survivors flee their abusive partners.
Leah joined TOWIE in 2011 alongside brother Elliott following the success of cousins Mark and Jessica, their parents Carol and Big Mark, and Carol’s mum Nanny Pat who died in 2015
The former reality television star and mum-of-three, admitted that it had been a ‘long and emotional fight’ that had taken a ‘lot of strength’ as she detailed her trauma
Speaking about the appeal Abigail Ampofo, interim CEO at Refuge said: ‘Domestic abuse happens all year round, but we know when the weather is warm and people are away enjoying their summer holidays it is a social issue that is often forgotten.
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‘The summer months can add increased stresses for women and their children experiencing domestic abuse that make it harder to seek support and even more necessary that they know where to turn.
‘We want to be there for everyone that needs our help but we can only do that with the generosity of our supporters.
‘We know many families are feeling financial pressures right now but we’re asking, if you can, please consider a donation to our Summer Escape Appeal.’
Essex favourite Leah, who is part of the popular Wright family, joined the ITV reality show in 2011 alongside brother Elliott following the success of cousins Mark and Jessica, their parents Carol and Big Mark, and Carol’s mum Nanny Pat who died in 2015.
She quit four years later after being snapped up to do presenting work before opening her own recruitment business – and has kept out of the limelight ever since.
In recent years she has suffered several family tragedies.
In March 2021, she lost her father Edward Wright, who died at the age of 66 following an eight-week battle with Covid.
Just weeks later, her brother Elliott was left devastated when a blaze gutted his Marbella restaurant, Olivia’s La Cala.
Four months later it was reported she had split from her husband Chris Taylor after seven years of marriage. They share daughter Aurelia, 14, and sons Sergio, 19, and Chris, 12.
Essex favourite Leah is part of the popular Wright family (pictured with cousin Mark Wright) but in recent years has retreated from the spotlight