A VICTIM of domestic abuse has spoken of her ordeal to highlight the work being done in Torbay to stop violence in the home.

The 42-year-old joined other women yesterday for the launch of Domestic Violence Week.

The aim is to show what support services are available in the Bay to help victims of abuse.

And in Teignbridge two new homes have been unveiled which will provide domestic abuse victims with secure accommodation.

The Safe House, a joint £140,000 project between Teignbridge Council and Teign Housing and involving help from the police, opens later this month.

At Torquay's launch event, the mum-of-three, who wishes to remain anonymous, introduced a short film in which she speaks about the four years she spent in an abusive relationship.

She hopes that by speaking out she can encourage other victims, both men and women, to find the courage to change their lives.

She said: "The violence started six months into the relationship with him putting me down, mental abuse. He would argue with me if I was five minutes late from work and then a bit later on it turned into physical violence.

"I was pinned down on the bed, punched, things thrown at me. I had bruises that took four months to get rid of.

"We carried on and I married him. I suppose I thought he'd change and I was the one that could do it, but it became like I was walking on egg shells and I couldn't do right for doing wrong."

She said if she could give victims one piece of advice it would be to 'get out as soon as possible'.

She said there is help and support out there for people.

"If I'd have known what support is out there I would have left sooner."

She says the confidence she lost has since returned and she is now in a healthy relationship.

Her former husband was prosecuted for the abuse, although he still does not admit he did anything wrong.

The launch highlighted the range of support available, including the police domestic violence unit, independent domestic abuse advisors, 14-week support courses, the Torbay Refuge, and children's group coordinators.

Tanya Alford, manager of Torbay Refuge, said: "There is so much support. It can vary from confidential support while still in the relationship through to somewhere to go once you have left."

Caroline Taylor, deputy chief executive of Torbay Council, said: "The local authority is committed to reducing the effects of domestic abuse on families in the Bay, continuing to work with our partners to ensure that victims and their children have access to the services they need."

The Teignbridge Safe House will enable victims of domestic abuse to live securely and independently, but with full support available to help them recover.

Tenancy terms will be offered from six to 12 months, depending on individual circumstances.

Mike Hanrahan, chief executive of Teign Housing, said: "When the lack of suitable homes in the area for families fleeing domestic abuse was highlighted, we knew we had to do something to address the situation.

"It's a difficult decision for anyone to take a stand and get out of an abusive relationship, and we hope that by providing these homes we will make that move easier."

A dedicated support worker from national housing charity Carr-Gomm will be available for weekly one-to-one sessions and Teignbridge Council will help provide housing advice to help them prepare for the future.

For more information visit www.adva.org.uk