Unless you've lived it, it's almost impossible to truly understand the insidious mechanisms of coercive control. And when you're watching a loved on from the outside, it's impossible to know how to help them break free. Michelle Sposito's eldest daughter had ambitions, hope and joy. But he trapped her in a cat and mouse game of emotional and psychological warfare. There was no way out - and on that last day, he made a decision that ended her life. Her name is Amy Bowden. She was only 26. Michelle reveals the helplessness of watching Amy's vitality be stolen away. She explains what happened on that last day and questions why police did not examine Amy's death with a domestic violence lens. This episode discusses coercive control, drug use and death. It is not for children.
This is Amy's story.
This season of She Matters is supported by Verve Super, committed to women’s financial security and standing against violence in all its forms. She Matters is also proudly supported by Your One and Only and UNTMD Media.
Presenter: Sherele Moody
Executive Producer: Dash Made Studios
To help keep this podcast on air and support this vital work, please donate or buy a RED HEART t-shirt - 100% of proceeds fund efforts to save lives and end violence.
❤️ Donate: australianfemicidewatch.org/support
❤️ Shop: australianfemicidewatch.org/shop-2
❤️ SUPPORT MY WORK
The RED HEART Campaign and Australian Femicide Watch are unfunded initiatives providing:
• Support for families of femicide
• Housing for women leaving violence
• Ethical media training for journalists
• Rallies, vigils, and public awareness events
• Documentation of women and children lost to violence
To help continue this vital work, please donate or buy a RED HEART t-shirt - 100% of proceeds fund efforts to save lives and end violence.
❤️ Donate: australianfemicidewatch.org/support
❤️ Shop: australianfemicidewatch.org/shop-2
If you need help:
❤️ 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732
❤️ Women’s Crisis Line – 1800 811 811
❤️ 13YARN – 13 92 76
❤️ Rainbow Helpline – 1800 497 212
❤️ Men’s Referral Service – 1300 766 491
❤️ MensLine – 1300 789 978
❤️ Lifeline (24 hours) – 13 11 14
Connect:
📱 Instagram/Facebook: sherelemoodyfemicidewatch
🐦 X (Twitter): @ShereleMoody
📘 Facebook: TheREDHEARTCampaign/
🎵 TikTok: @femicidewatchaustralia
🌐 Website: australianfemicidewatch.org
📧 Email: Sherele@AustralianFemicideWatch.org
Women in Australia retire with 23% less super than men — a real super gender gap. Our financial lives can be complex, and many of us don’t know who to turn to for support in a system not built with us in mind. That’s why Verve created a community for women, men and non-binary people who believe in closing the super gap.