A campaign against domestic violence has been launched ahead of the Christmas period. We spoke to some East Lancashire victims who explained what they had been going through at the hands of violent partners.

THOUSANDS of victims of domestic violence are being urged not to suffer in silence this Christmas.

At just one support centre they are seeing more than 400 different victims each month.

And police have now launched a new leaflet campaign in a bid to reach all of those victims that have not come forward.

Vivien Blackledge, the project manager at Blackburn and Darwen Women’s Aid, said they were determined to reach those who have not come forward, despite brutal attacks.

And she said there are even fears that someone could be killed unless more reporting is made.

Incidents including pregnant wives being pushed down stairs, knife attacks and beatings are taking place, she said.

Inspector Steve Dowson said: “Domestic violence is an appalling and usually hidden crime that is not acceptable under any circumstances and will never be tolerated.

“We know that a number of incidents still go unreported and we urge anyone suffering from any form of abuse to report the matter either directly to the police or to the support agencies so that help can be provided.

"Victims should not suffer in silence this Christmas or indeed at any time.”

Mrs Blackledge said: “We are at a time of high stress now, with job losses, people with less money and fears for what the new year will bring, on top of the normal stress of Christmas.”

>> CASE STUDY 1

JAYNE, 43, suffered 25 years of domestic violence at the hands of her husband and father of her four children.

She said she was only able to break free from the cycle of routine attacks after an incident that saw her repeatedly beaten with a chair and ironing board last year.

The police were called and her hysterical children made officers involve social services.

She has now been able to gain a restraining order against her former husband and said she was able to get on with her life.

She said: “All through my marriage there was domestic violence. He was very controlling and routinely punched and kicked me.

“I just had such low self esteem I couldn’t do anything about it.

“One of the few times I called the police was when he had a chair over my head and he was hitting me with an ironing board.

“Something snapped in me and I phoned the police.

“There are so many people in my position in the area, I know there are, and I just want them to find the courage to come forward and break free of this misery.

“There is support out there for people to get help. I am a completely different person now my life has changed so much for the better.”

>> CASE STUDY 2

ALYA, 23, underwent years of abuse at the hands of her new husband after moving to Lancashire from her home in India aged 17.

In the worst attack she was pushed downstairs when seven months pregnant. She was also regularly beaten.

She said: “I was planning to study English and make a great new life but instead my husband took all of my money and spent it on cigarettes and alcohol.

“The beatings were brutal and after I was pushed downstairs I gave birth five weeks prematurely. “The beatings continued and he even stole money that was supposed to be for the baby.

“Luckily social services got involved after my brother-in-law became worried and supported me to get away from him.

“He hit me so many times and once tried to kill me with a knife. It was a nightmare but I am so glad that I was able to get out.”

>> CASE STUDY 3

SUSAN, 46, said she will never have another relationship after finally breaking out of 20 years of abuse from two consecutive partners.

On one occasion an argument led to her young son being kidnapped.

But she said that a pattern of the abuse was strangulation and attacks that left no visible bruises.

She said: “After my husband died I began a relationship in which the abuse was so bad I was virtually housebound.

“I didn’t see anyone because he ruined my self esteem. I believed that I deserved to be treated so badly.

“I was so lucky to get out of that relationship alive but then my next partner started doing the same things.

“I have known some very evil men and I am only now starting to get over it. Things are very different now.

“I believe that in the past the police just thought it was a domestic issue and not something to get involved with, whereas now women can be a lot more confident coming forward.

“For 20 years I feared for my life every single day and that is unacceptable.

“I am so much more confident and happy now and I wish I could go back in time and tell myself that I did not have to go through it.”

>> The disturbing facts

  • In Lancashire it is estimated that nearly 60,000 women experience domestic violence in a year, said to cost the county £622million a year
  • One in four women are said to experience domestic violence over their lifetimes. The figure for men is one in six
  • Domestic violence features in the lives of 37 per cent of children who are receiving social work interventions
  • Almost half of all female murder victims were killed by their current or former partner
  • Every minute in the UK police receive a call from the public for assistance for domestic violence
  • Domestic violence accounts for 17 per cent of all violent crime

Source: Lancashire Domestic Violence Strategy 2007-2012.

Help is out there

Anyone with concerns that they or anyone they know is suffering from or is at risk of domestic violence should contact the police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, you can contact the local or national helpline on 01254 260465 or 0808 2000 247.