The 41-year-old visited a women’s refuge for BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire to meet with victims of domestic abuse, where she spoke with Anna, who’d been in a violent relationship for 10 years.
Clearly moved by Anna’s horrific story, Danniella broke down in tears. She said: “As much as the relationship is toxic, and we know it’s toxic, it’s your drug of choice.”
Anna revealed how, despite the abuse, she went back to her abusive ex 11 times before finding the strength to walk away. During one of these times, the man kept her prisoner for four days, while repeatedly violently and sexually assaulting her.
Danniella continued: “As his would be alcohol, yours would be him. I can identify on the addict side of things, I can totally identify with that.
“Not on the other side, but I can identity with that and what we do and who we become to get closer to our drug of choice.”
Anna revealed that, through fear, she lied to the police to protect her ex – which resulted in her losing both of her children.
“It’s very hard because our job is to protect them,” mum-of-two Danniella said. “And then they get to a certain age and their job, they think, is to protect us.
“And it’s a lovely thing but as a parent it really hurts. It’s hard on the mums. You’re so trapped, and I imagine you felt so trapped. You had nowhere else to go and you can’t go back.”
Danniella’s aim is to raise awareness of funding cuts which will impact women’s refuges, after it was revealed 32 have closed down in the last four years.