Violent incidents have increased since the launch of Euro 2016
A domestic abuse survivor has bravely spoken out in support of a campaign launched by to tackle violent behaviour.
Last month, West Yorkshire Police launched a campaign for the duration of the Euro 2016 football tournament to reduce the number of domestic abuse incidents after seeing an increase in incidents during other major sporting events.
The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that she never saw herself as a victim of domestic abuse until the violence escalated and she was left with serious injuries.
Last summer, her then husband violently assaulted her and she fled the house covered in blood, to safety and then called the police. Her main concern was not herself but to ensure her children were safe, as they were in the house at the time.
Once she had reported the incident to police, he pleaded guilty to common assault and was sentenced four months later. He received a suspended prison sentence and an indefinite restraining order, preventing him for contacting her.
She said: “The last incident was the final straw for me – there had been a number of incidents throughout my marriage when my husband was violent, but this was by far the worst. His eyes were glazed over in rage and kept saying over and over again that he was going to kill me.
“There is still a taboo around domestic abuse and an embarrassment around reporting incidents to the police. I now know what is acceptable and what isn’t in a relationship and I would never put up with any sort of abuse again; and no one should.”
Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner said: “I would like to commend the courage of this victim in coming forward and speaking out about domestic abuse.
“The most important part of this campaign is to raise awareness of this crime and that victims will be listened to and that there is help available. It is absolutely crucial that victims know that domestic abuse is not their fault and that they do not have to put up with it.”
Anyone affected by this story can ring the 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
