Getting tough on domestic violence

It is also the first anniversary of the Crown Prosecution Service's new domestic violence policy. The tough regime has led to an increase in prosecutions.

When Sarah Moore's six-year-old daughter handed her a pencil drawing of herself lying ill in a hospital bed, hooked up to an intravenous drip, the image struck a chord.

Until that moment, she had not realised how affected Jessica was by seeing her mother beaten and hospitalised by Jessica's father John.

The attacks happened about once a year and every time Sarah took him back. However, Jessica's drawing proved a turning point.

Housewife Sarah, 29, who in a bid to help others has spoken of her ordeal, said: "Jessica always seemed fine. But when I saw her drawing, which was almost drawn in photographic detail, I realised she knew exactly what was going on.

"I didn't want my daughter to have to go through that again. I also had to show her you should never allow any man to treat you like I had been treated, however much he loves you."

Sarah, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, was one of countless victims of domestic violence who lived in fear of their partner losing their temper.

Sussex Police receive about 1,000 calls every month reporting domestic violence. But this is thought to be the tip of the iceberg. More than 50 per cent of murders of woman in Sussex are domestic-violence related.

One in four women have been a victim of domestic violence and one in six men, according to the British Crime Survey.

Often victims of domestic violence do not want to press charges against perpetrators because they feel ashamed, scared or do not see themselves as abused.

The Crown Prosecution Service's new domestic violence policy is striving to change all that. Before, if a victim wanted to withdraw a case, the CPS would not pursue it.

Now it continues to prosecute attackers, even when victims change their mind and refuse to give evidence in court. This is to protect victims, including children, from further violence.

Sarah, who lives in Brighton, initially refused to support a prosecution but then agreed to give evidence. Builder John, 34, was successfully prosecuted for actual bodily harm and sentenced to a community rehabilitation order (CRO) for 12 months.

On the night of the attack, she had been out for the day.

She said: "I used a friend's mobile to call John to say I would be home soon. But as the phone was passed over to me, he thought he heard a man say 'hey sexy' and just flipped out."

When she got home, he hurled questions at her, became enraged and pushed her on to the bed.

Every time she tried to get up, he pushed her back. She told him she had had enough and was going to leave.

Sarah, who has been with John for ten years, said: "With that, he threw me on to the floor. He stood over me and kicked me two or three times in the ribcage."

At that point Jessica, having heard her mother's screams, walked in. She said: "Please Daddy, please stop."

Sarah said: "He just pushed Jessica to the side.

"He then kicked me again. There was a big bang beneath my ribcage and I knew something was wrong. I was in so much pain.

"I had a kidney condition and my right kidney was inflated like a balloon. When John kicked me, the bang was my kidney rupturing."

Sarah spent 13 days in hospital.

Hospital staff told police they had a potential domestic violence case and Sarah gave a statement.

This was a big step for Sarah but she was still unsure of whether to support a prosecution.

Sarah said: "At first I thought it was unfair to charge him and label him a woman-beater. He was living with friends at that point and had agreed to see a counsellor.

"But when I talked to a woman at the CPS, she said, 'You either co-operate or we will issue a summons for you to appear in court'.

"It took the decision out of my hands and I realised the prosecution was the best thing for John to get help, for me to take a stand and for Jessica."

Alison Saunders, head of CPS in Sussex, said the decision was taken out of the hands of victims because domestic violence was a crime.

She said: "We have had several cases in the last year where victims at first didn't want to co-operate. But after the convictions, they came and said thank you. They said in hindsight, they knew it was for the best. Justice has been done."

The CPS's new strict regime complements Sussex Police's new domestic violence multi-agency campaign.

It is launched today on White Ribbon Day, an event to raise awareness of violence against woman but it will also address domestic violence against men.

Agencies from housing, health, police, voluntary sectors and education will aim to provide a "one-stop-shop" for victims of domestic violence.

Drop-in centres across Sussex are providing facilities so anyone can get information.

Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Yeo said: "Tackling domestic violence is a force priority."

Where victims of domestic violence do not want to press charges, officers in Sussex can now make an arrest based on evidence at the scene.

Councillor David Rogers, who chairs the Sussex Police Authority, said: "Domestic violence is one of the most cowardly crimes carried out by people in positions of trust - behind closed doors."

Four months after Sarah gave evidence against her partner, she sees herself as a strong woman who did the best for her family.

Sarah is still with John but believes she has done the best for everyone.

She said: "John is now getting help. He knows if he does it again he will be sent down and I will be gone. I stood up for myself and Jessica has a father."

Here are some useful numbers:

Women's Aid national domestic violence helpline: 08457 023468.

Careline: 020 8514 1177.

Refuge 24-hour national helpline: 08705 995443.

Domestic violence helpline: 020 7392 2092.

Mankind (for male victims): 01273 611010.

Rights of Women (legal information): 020 7251 6577.

Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre: 020 8239 1122.

Life Centre (support for survivors of rape and sexual abuse): 01243 779196.

Victim Support Helpline: 0845 3030900.