Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence which some readers may find distressing.
A domestic violence victim has explained why he chose to speak out about the harrowing treatment he received at the hands of his wife, as a documentary on his story lands on Netflix.
For a decade, Richard Spencer was subjected to physical, emotional and financial abuse at the hands of his wife, Sheree, with his ordeal only being uncovered after a friend saw footage of the abuse on a nanny cam and forwarded it to the police.
Watch the trailer here:
Richard shared his experience in heartbreaking documentary My Wife, My Abuser, which has now been added to Netflix months after its original broadcast on Channel 5.
By time police were involved in the case, Richard had amassed evidence of his abuse and injuries, which included 43 photographs, 36 video clips, and nine mobile recordings. Sheree would ultimately be sentenced to four years in prison for her abuse, with judge Kate Rayfield calling the case ‘the worst incidence of controlling and coercive behaviour [she had ever] seen’.
Following Sheree’s arrest, Richard decided to make the brave decision to share his story with the public in order to raise awareness about domestic violence against men. According to statistics published by the National Centre for Domestic Violence, around one in six to seven men will experience abuse from a partner during their lifetime.
Sheree’s abuse was revealed after a friend witnessed footage recorded on nanny cams in the house (Channel 5)
“The reasons for making the documentary are hopefully to have a positive impact on other people who could be going through something similar,” Richard explained during an interview with The Sun earlier in the year, adding that he has since become ’emotionally detached’ from the footage.
Richard went on to explain how the abuse came about, explaining that Sheree had started with ‘pushing, shoving and slapping’ him. This then escalate into increased violence, as well as financial abuse and coercive control. Richard also explained that he had tried to ‘restrain’ her during an assault, but added ‘she’d get angry and what came next would be ten times worse’.
Even more sinister was the fact that HM Prison and Probation Service project manager Sheree would also threaten to frame Richard for abuse, leaving him terrified to speak out about his ordeal.
Nanny cam footage picked up harrowing moments, such as Sheree brandishing a knife in their home (Channel 5)
This led to him beginning to save footage recorded on nanny cams around the house, as an ‘insurance’ to prevent Sheree from blocking access to his children.
Richard would eventually open up about his ordeal to a friend, who reported Sheree to the police. She was ultimately admitted to charges of controlling and coercive behaviour, along with three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and received a four year custodial sentence.
My Wife, My Abuser is available to watch on Netflix now.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence to the national domestic violence helpline Refuge on 0808 2000 247, available 24/7, or via live chat, available 10am-10pm, Monday to Friday.