The Human Cost of Legal and Systemic Failure

The journey I’ve been on for the past several years has been one of unimaginable hardship. As I write this, I am homeless, living in my car on the streets of Winchester. Just days ago, I was evicted from my home—the one I rightfully own. But this isn’t just a story about losing my home. It’s about the systemic failures I’ve faced, the abuse I’ve endured, and the constant battle to reclaim my dignity and rights.

Abuse in Every Form

For years, I was subjected to a range of abuses—mental, physical, emotional, and financial. Each day felt like a fight for my survival. My ex-husband and I had been in a tumultuous marriage, but I never imagined that the abuse would leave me in the position I am in today.

Two days ago, I became homeless. The home I worked so hard for, the home I owned outright, was taken from me. I paid the mortgage, the deposit, and made the monthly payments. I filled it with the furniture and belongings that made it a home. Yet, I am now unable to access it. All my possessions remain inside, while I am forced to sleep in my car.

The situation is made even more difficult because, not only have I lost my home, but I have also been left without the basic essentials. I have no access to a bathroom, no kitchen to cook a meal, and no bed to sleep on. Each night spent in my car is an exhausting reminder of how quickly a life can be upended and how the system that’s supposed to protect us can leave us stranded without even the basic human necessities.

To make matters worse, despite being evicted, I am still responsible for paying the mortgage on the property I no longer live in. I’m still required to meet this financial obligation, even though I have no access to the home, no place to live, and no way to retrieve my belongings. The burden of paying for a property I can’t use is an additional weight on my shoulders as I try to navigate this difficult situation.

The Struggle for Support

I have been diagnosed with extreme PTSD, depression, and anxiety—conditions that have been compounded by the years of abuse I endured. Despite these challenges, I have sought mental health support, only to be told by the NHS that I am still experiencing abuse. When I reached out to my local Member of Parliament, I received no help. Jess Phillips responded to me and advised that I contact my MP, but he has shown no interest in supporting me.

I have reached out for help time and time again, but the system has failed me. The police are aware of the abuse I’ve experienced, but because I wasn’t strong enough to go to trial, the case remains open without action. This failure by the system only deepens the pain and frustration I feel. It seems as though no one is willing to listen or intervene.

A Man of Unlimited Resources

My ex-husband is a man of unlimited resources—resources I do not have access to. He has ample housing for himself and his family, yet he continues to hold my keys and control access to my property. This man, who has his own home with his fifth wife, has left me to suffer on the streets, with no recourse for justice.

Despite a court order stating he was to pay me maintenance payments, he has never honored this agreement. I have fought to have the courts address this, but I have been ignored at every turn. The legal system, instead of protecting me, has perpetuated my suffering.

The Court Battle: A System That Ignores Abuse

In 2019, I became the owner of my home. However, my ex-husband moved in for less than 18 months before I had to change the locks and send his belongings to his workplace. The court ordered him to pay me maintenance, but he refused. The Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR) hearing came, and I informed the judge that I was not in a sound enough mental state to stand trial. Despite this, the hearing proceeded, and an order was made to sell my home in September 2023.

Since then, I’ve been fighting to have the courts revisit this decision. My last filing, submitted in early February 2025 to the Royal Courts of Justice, was rejected. The judge provided no real grounds for the rejection. The courts have disregarded my human rights, overlooked the abuse I’ve endured, and allowed my ex-husband to continue his actions unchallenged.

The Human Cost of Legal and Systemic Failure

Tonight will be night three of sleeping in my car. As I write this, I am forced to confront the reality of living without a home, all while my ex-husband remains in possession of my keys, my belongings, and my property. This is not a situation I ever imagined for myself, but it is the reality that I am now forced to live in. Without a bathroom, kitchen, or a bed, I am left with nothing but the bare minimum for survival.

To add insult to injury, I am still being required to pay the mortgage on the property I have lost. The financial strain of paying for a home I no longer have access to while also trying to survive without basic amenities only intensifies the burden of this already impossible situation.

This blog is not just a recount of my struggles; it is a call for awareness and action. It’s a plea for the justice system to recognize the human cost of their inaction. It’s a request for support from those who can make a difference, to ensure that people like me are no longer left to suffer in silence.

I am writing this to shed light on the abuse that continues unchecked, to highlight the ways in which the system fails those who are most vulnerable, and to make it clear that change is desperately needed.

If you or someone you know has experienced similar abuse or legal struggles, I encourage you to speak out. Share your story. The more we bring awareness to these issues, the more likely it is that things will change.

I’m not sure what the future holds, but I am determined to keep fighting. The road ahead is uncertain, but I won’t give up. I hope that by sharing my story, I can inspire others to stand up for their rights and demand the justice they deserve.

Thank you for reading, and please share this post to help raise awareness.