I have been separated from my ex since late October but we still share the house that we have lived in for 7 years. I moved out for a week on boxing day but had to move back for financial reasons. We are in separate rooms. I work and study, he doesn't. I pay all the bills, he maintains the house, yard and looks after my 2 dogs. Our children have grown and left home. We have been married 36 years. He has been controlling, manipulative, aggressive and violent, sometimes physical. The stress and anxiety that he causes me has me only coming home late at night and leaving early to avoid him. He has no respect of boundaries and is crying and telling me how much he loves me all the time, trying to get me to go back to him. He would constantly call me to find out where I am but has recently stopped doing this after I blocked his number after I leave work. He has followed me to our neighbour's house and to work. He goes through my room when I'm not home. I recently applied for a passport so I can travel. It was meant to be delivered today but I wasn't home so it was taken back to the post office and a card was left. He took the card to the post office where they gave him, without ID, my registered mail and also told him what it was. He didn't open it and gave it to me when I got home. I want to run away but don't want to leave the house either. He has stated that he will walk away if I give him $250000. I don't want to get an AVO as it will just ruin his life. I've just had enough and don't know what to do.