DOMESTIC abuse is not just physical violence. It includes verbal abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse and social isolation. Women who experience abuse often say that the physical bruising and broken bones heal but the emotional abuse can take years to overcome. The humiliation and degradation destroys self-esteem and confidence. Where there are children in the family, in 90% of incidents children are in the same or next room and witness or hear what is going on. One in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and one woman is murdered every three days in England and Wales by their current or ex-partner. The West Devon office of South Devon Women?s Aid was set up in 2000 after the murder of an Okehampton woman on the pavement near the medical centre. West Devon is one of the safest areas to live in the UK as regards burglaries, stranger violence and muggings. However, it has the same rate per population as the rest of the country for domestic violence. Because it tends to happen behind closed doors and the stigma attached, many women do not report incidents to the police. National figures show that women will often experience 35 incidents before they come forward and seek help. Concerns over where they will live and how they will cope financially stop many women seeking help. Women?s Aid has trained volunteers who can help with these issues as well as providing a non-judgemental listening ear. Its Helpline number is 01837 55228.
