Some 53% of women and 49% of all Brits are unaware of the 999-55 emergency line, which allows local police to track the caller and send urgent help when they are unable to summon it themselves.
A hard-hitting new campaign from Women’s Aid, The Ignored Emergency, aims to show domestic abuse is a national emergency that has been overlooked for too long.
The charity points out that while public safety campaigns around house fires and car accidents have existed for decades, the same has not been seen for domestic abuse.
This is despite research suggesting women are twice as likely to die at the hands of their partner than from smoke or gas inhalation, and more than three times more likely to be killed by a partner than by not wearing a seatbelt.
Sarah Hill, chair of Women’s Aid, said: ‘The statistics are harrowing; one in four women experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and at least one woman a week is killed by a current or former partner.
‘Silence can speak volumes, and this is one instance where that is particularly true.
‘Society must come together and recognise domestic abuse as the emergency it is, equipped with the knowledge needed to stand up and protect lives.’
Two women shared how the charity helped them escape abusive relationships.
Jade, not her real name, described how she and her ex-husband were married and trying for a baby within just nine weeks of meeting.
‘I couldn’t believe after being so convinced that I was going to be “left on the shelf” that I had my happy ending,’ she said.
But over the next nine years he became ‘extremely physically and verbally abusive’, she added: ‘I was so scared of him that I changed everything about myself to stop him getting angry.
‘When I was heavily pregnant, he got very angry and bent over me whilst I was in bed growling like an angry gorilla whilst I was curled up in a ball with my eyes shut. I thought I was going to die.
‘To others, he was quite a likeable character and although people knew he could be a bit tricky, I don’t think anybody knew the full extent of what was going on in our house.
‘I didn’t really understand at the time either. It was like being in hell.
‘Life has been truly wonderful since breaking free from domestic abuse. I have travelled, run marathons and half marathons, I have loads of friends and a great social life.
‘I have come to understand that I was always good enough and worthy of love. I just needed to realise that for myself.’
Natasha, also not her real name, says her former partner ‘seemed perfect on paper’, adding: ‘There were sparks and chemistry and I felt lucky to have finally met someone I liked. After an intense honeymoon phase, we got married and moved in together.’
But ‘the honeymoon phase didn’t last and slowly his behaviour changed’.
‘It started with angry outbursts over minor things but it soon escalated to episodes of violence,’ Natasha said.
‘Every evening, I was coming home to a husband who was angry, jealous, controlling and who became increasingly violent and aggressive over time.
‘That person, who was supposed to respect, love and care for me for the rest of my life, was now someone who terrified me to my very core.
‘I eventually found the courage to leave the marriage. After I left, I told my family and friends. I felt empowered telling the truth and it was the first time I felt in control of my life in a long time.
‘I have never regretted my decision to leave and will be eternally grateful to those who helped along the way – my family, friends, my GP, Women’s Aid and countless others.
‘I feel so lucky to have freedom and peace in my life and I hope my story might give hope to others experiencing abuse.
‘Connecting with Women’s Aid was one of the first steps for me to label what was happening to me. I felt validated for the first time after feeling I was going crazy for so long.’
Women’s Aid ambassador Michelle Griffith-Robinson said: ‘I hope that this important campaign, and the powerful films that have been created as part of it, will be a real eye-opener for our society.
‘It’s time to stand up and take notice of the reality and prevalence of domestic abuse in this country.
‘We need to come together to take action against this dangerous form of gender-based abuse to protect women and girls and save lives.’
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