In 2008, the horrific murder of Sophie Elliott by her former boyfriend and university tutor, Clayton Weatherston, shocked the nation. During the police investigation it became clear Sophie’s murderer was a typical abuser who had a track record of treating partners badly. Sophie’s mother, Lesley Elliott, driven to research domestic and partner abuse, was astonished to find the very characteristics evident in abusive relationships were right there in Sophie’s. Lesley quickly realised that if she and Sophie, ‘through ignorance and naivety’ missed the signs, then so could many others.
I’m liking
There is probably not a person in New Zealand who does not remember the murder of Sophie Elliott and it’s a chilling set of events. In this book, Lesley Elliot reflects on some of the signs of Weatherspoon’s abusive personality and what people should do if they are in an abusive relationship. This is not an amazing book and it’s very much around Elliott’s personal experience; however, it’s an important book and one that sheds light on an issue that too many people ignore or fail to realise the significance of.
The conclusion
Loves me not is worth reading as it explains a number of key features of abusive relationships and also gives some broad advice. We can never know all of what happens in a relationship but this is a good starting point for understanding abusive relationships and recognising the signs.
