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Refuge Early Warning Signs campaign

Domestic violence is the biggest social issue affecting women in the country today, and every week in England and Wales, two women are killed by a current or former partner

Often, abusive partners start by using more subtle controlling techniques, such as jealousy and possessiveness, which then lead on to physical violence, but these aren't always thought of as domestic abuse. When national domestic violence charity Refuge carried out research recently it showed a lack of awareness among women of the techniques used by violent men to control women.

Ninety five per cent of the respondents surveyed by Refuge recognised physical abuse as domestic violence but only a quarter of respondents understood the more subtle techniques of control, such as jealousy and possessiveness, as indicators of domestic violence. The research also showed that 87 per cent of the women questioned said they received no information about domestic violence when they were at school.

To help combat this lack of information and understanding Refuge has launched a new campaign to raise awareness about the early warning signs of abuse, which will help prevent women from a lifetime of abuse.

Sandra Horley OBE, and chief executive of Refuge, says: 'It is essential that women receive the right education and information so they can understand the techniques of control frequently used by abusive men.

'It's all too easy for women to excuse their partner's possessive and jealous behaviour, but in so doing they run the risk of the abuse increasing in frequency and severity over time. By understanding the signs early a woman is forewarned and forearmed.'

The campaign has support from a number of high-profile individuals, including Cherie Booth QC, Ruby Wax, Jo Brand and Patrick Stewart.

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