The Affidavit (Anna and Lu Jinhu’s Relationship) – Part 2
Thursday, continued…
[Anna is still typing her affidavit]
Lu Jinhu and I initially met at university, where I was completing a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws combined degree and living in the same university college. At the time I commenced university, I was 16 years old. We dated on and off throughout university, but I believed Lu Jinhu was not committed to our relationship, so I kept it from becoming anything more than the occasional date.
My undergraduate degree was awarded on [ALFRED, please check my degree on the office wall for the exact date], and I graduated with First Class Honours in Law and Honours in Commerce. My academic results were strong enough that I was offered the opportunity to complete a Legal Research-based master’s degree, with the aim of pursuing a doctoral degree. This was in addition to the multiple employment offers I received. I ultimately chose to take the position with my current employers, ANX Lawyers, where I undertake work across various fields, including commercial law, criminal law, and family law, among others.
Upon finishing my undergraduate degree, I commenced my professional qualifications. This was formally awarded on [Note – ALFRED, again check the certificate in my office for the date], and I was admitted as a Legal Practitioner on [Note – ALFRED, please verify all admission dates on the certificates].
Once I completed my professional qualifications, I began my employment with ANX Lawyers. Lu Jinhu finished his undergraduate degree approximately four months later. We kept in touch during this time, but had no firm plans to continue the relationship. Then, one day, Lu Jinhu literally turned up on my Melbourne doorstep after his graduation, indicating he wanted to pursue a relationship with me. This was when our relationship officially began.
Given that Lu Jinhu had been promiscuous during his time at university, before we commenced a sexual relationship, I insisted—though I believe he found it demeaning—that he undergo screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The test results came back negative, and as a result, we commenced our sexual relationship. As part of my employment, I am required to undergo an annual medical review, which includes testing for STDs. My most recent review, conducted 10 weeks prior to the swearing of this affidavit, showed no presence of any STDs.
Based on the material in the balance of this affidavit, and applying my professional expertise, I assert that Lu Jinhu engaged in psychological and economic abuse as a means of inflicting domestic violence upon me. At the time of swearing this affidavit, I cannot recall any incidents of physical violence or other forms of domestic violence.
During our relationship, if Lu Jinhu did not approve of any of my long-term friends, he slowly poisoned my mind against them, doing everything in his power to push them out of my life. Several of my friends even told me directly that they felt Lu Jinhu was lying to me, using me, and manipulating me. However, due to my investment in the relationship, I chose to believe Lu Jinhu when he denied their accusations, claiming that they were simply jealous or trying to turn me against him. Over time, and unbeknownst to me at the time, Lu Jinhu isolated me from friends he didn’t approve of. He made it clear that my friends had to be his friends, and if they fell out of favour, they would be removed from our lives.
If I were to list every example of his actions in this regard, it would take pages. However, to highlight a few key incidents:
He constantly belittled my closest friends and made subtle remarks to undermine their character, suggesting that they were untrustworthy or beneath me.
Whenever I would spend time with these friends, Lu Jinhu would either guilt-trip me into feeling as though I was neglecting him, or he would intentionally start arguments to keep me from seeing them.
Over the years, I watched as my social circle gradually shrank. I had to cancel plans with my friends, or they would stop calling altogether. Slowly but surely, my relationship with Lu Jinhu became my entire world, and everyone else was pushed out.
Despite the control he had over my social life, I was still determined to believe that our relationship was based on love and mutual respect. It wasn’t until much later that I realized the depth of the manipulation and abuse I had suffered.
To be continued…
