The screams that we must not ignore

AMAN who killed his girlfriend in a chilling example of domestic violence was handed a life sentence yesterday.

Jordan Matthews has been jailed for at least 18 years for the murder of 24-year-old Xixi Bi after subjecting her to physical and emotional abuse for months

There will be relief her killer is behind bars. But many victims of violence are in their personal prisons right now, living in fear of a violent partner.

According to the charity Llamau, those living in the most dangerous situations do not seek help for an average of 2.3 years. There are many reasons why someone will not contact the police, flee the home or get in touch with an agency that can help.

People may well be terrified of the abuser. They may fear for their children.

Their confidence may be shattered and the person who physically attacks them could have also racked up debts in their name. Too many people can only see a horrendous choice between homelessness and continuing to live with someone who endangers their life.

The consequences of staying with an abusive partner can be fatal. When 64% of all murdered women are killed by a current or former male partner, society has a duty to help people reach a place of safety.

This will ensure they are not plunged into poverty or separated from their children, many of whom will have witnessed horrific scenes. As well as providing shelter and physical protection, we need to ensure psychological help and skills training is available that will help people build a new life.

The scale of domestic abuse in Wales is terrifying. In South Wales alone, more than 34,000 incidents were recorded by police last year – the equivalent of one every quarter of an hour.

How many more instances of abuse do not go reported? How many children are growing up in a home where they think it is normal to fear the sound of a parent returning home, or to listen to a mother or father scream and sob?

This raises another question: How many of us would contact the police if we heard such sounds coming from a neighbour’s property? Would we continue doing the dishes or watching TV if there was the chance that someone was suffering just a short distance away?

Just as it is essential that healthcare professionals, teachers and police do not turn a blind eye to evidence of domestic abuse, there is a duty on all of us to bring an end to this cruel and brutal behaviour.

A revolution in attitudes is required if Wales is to tackle domestic abuse. It is important for us to recognise that men are often victims.

According to the Office for National Statistics, in the 12 months to March 2016, victims were women in 69% of domestic abuse-related prosecutions but 14% were male (the sex of the victim was not recorded in 17% of prosecutions).

Nobody should suffer in fear and silence. Everyone has a right to justice and a life free of violence.