A woman who was beaten by her partner has set up a support group for victims of domestic violence.

The mother-of-two from Littlehampton, who does not want to be named, is in hiding from the father of her children after escaping 18 months of violence.

It began two months into their relationship when Claire, an assumed name, was slapped round the face.

Her partner apologised profusely and she assumed it was a one-off.

Within two weeks, he hit her again and the onslaughts became a regular occurrence. Claire, 21, needed hospital treatment twice after he pushed her down the stairs.

She often had to hide her bruised face after being punched and slapped.

After her escape and relocation to Littlehampton, Claire decided to set up Time Out for Women in Need (Town), to show other women they were not alone.

She said: "When I was in the violent relationship I needed emotional support because I felt low and depressed and an idiot that this was happening to me.

"I felt silly for staying as long as I did. When you're in that situation you're very isolated.

"The violence started in a small way and then got bigger and I was not prepared to put up with it any longer so I escaped when he had gone out one day. He doesn't know where I am now and I don't want him to."

Claire felt it was her fault her husband was beating her.

She said: "If I was five minutes late or I didn't have his dinner ready, he would hit me.

"My family didn't know what was going on but when I told them they weren't terribly surprised. They've been very supportive.

"Leaving was one of the hardest things I have ever done but my children are better off for it. I didn't want them growing up in that sort of atmosphere."

Claire has a new partner and is getting her life, and that of her two young children, back on track.

She said: "I think domestic violence is fairly common and more people talk about it openly than they used to. I want other women to know they shouldn't feel ashamed or blame themselves."

Town has taken six months to set up and is a drop-in group which will meet every Friday from April 19 at the Baptist Church, Fitzalan Road, Littlehampton, to offer support and companionship.

For further information, call Nicky Ansell from West Sussex County Council on 07754 777962.