Message showed importance of presenter speaking out
TELEVISION presenter Ruth Dodsworth has been inundated with support since revealing last week that she had been lucky enough to find love again and remarry.
She even had one woman message her to say that she had found the strength to leave her abusive husband after reading about how Ruth was dealing with life after her ex-husband was jailed for three years for coercive and controlling behaviour.
The message said: “My ex-husband has just been sentenced for assault. He was also charged with coercive control. You inspired me to make that call. I’d be stuck with him today if I didn’t get the police involved.”
It was not an easy decision for Ruth to speak out but this is the type of message that has made it worth it.
“I always said that if I could help even one person it would have been worth it,” she said. “I was concerned about speaking out, and I was worried about what people would say, but there has been so much support. If I am able to use this platform to help others and make a difference it is worth it.
“The fact this woman found the strength to speak out and the fact that the police listened are so important. It shows that it is working.”
In April Cardiff Crown Court heard Jonathan Wignall, 54, from Swansea, made Ms Dodsworth’s life a living hell after controlling every aspect of her existence.
The disgraced nightclub boss would frequently attend the studios where she was filming and on location, access her phone messages and mail, stop her from seeing friends and family, and even had a tracker fitted to her car. It only came to an end one day when her children phoned warning her not to come home because he was going to kill her.
Since his sentencing hearing Ruth had been working with police forces in Wales to help educate officers and raise awareness of the signs to look out for and how to deal with similar cases.
She has been addressing training sessions with South Wales Police and will be working with North Wales Police later this month.
Domestic violence and abuse is the most reported safeguarding issue to South Wales Police with a third of all violent crimes being domestic-related. Every 15 minutes the force receives a phone call relating to incidents of domestic abuse.
Talking about her former relationship, Ruth said: “I realised that he was quite volatile very early on but the relationship is new – you forgive certain things. You think: ‘Oh, it’s okay, it will blow over’.
“I became more and more isolated from friends and family but that in a weird way made it harder because he very much became the centre of my world – he was all I had in a sense.
“I know categorically if I’d stayed I’d be dead now and so asking for help saved my life There is a huge agreement from police forces that they want to improve the system, that they want to know what to look out for.
“I realise that I am one of the lucky ones and as happy as my life is now he will be released from prison and it has not always been easy, and it is not going to be easy, but I have got wonderful love and support from my husband and my family and we will get through it.”
Detective chief inspector Eve Davis, force lead for domestic abuse and violence for South Wales Police, said: “Domestic abuse and violence is a priority for South Wales Police. It can affect anyone and not only has devastating impacts upon those suffering the abuse directly but affects others such as children, extended family members, friends, and the community also. I would encourage any victim or survivor of abuse to make that call for help. Additionally if you are concerned about someone you know you can also make a call on their behalf.
“South Wales Police works with a number of a number of partner agencies to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse and violence and if there are people that don’t wish to make a report directly to the police then please consider making contact with Live Fear Free.”
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse visit the Live Fear Free website or call the helpline on 0808 80 10 800.