A YOUNG woman who suffered five years of violent beatings at the hands of her bullying husband before asking for "advice" has joined Dorset police in urging other victims to seek help.

Jane, 26, (not her real name), from Christchurch, called police in September after the latest in a long catalogue of assaults and was put through to Sgt Shawn Whitley at the Dorset police eastern division domestic violence unit in Ferndown.

She wasn't looking to press charges - but Sgt Whitley was.

As part of a no nonsense approach adopted by Dorset police to domestic violence he heads a three-member team covering Christchurch, East Dorset, Purbeck and North Dorset and similar units have been set up in other divisions across the county.

He said: "Jane said she just wanted advice, but really she was shouting for help. I realised it was a very, very serious case and had to be investigated. It wasn't her decision."

"I realised if I didn't do something there and then he could have killed her."

And just four weeks after her call, Jane's husband was brought before Bournemouth magistrates when he pleaded guilty to three charges of common assault and two of criminal damage.

He received a five-month prison sentence suspended for two years and an 18-month supervision order, was fined £500 with £300 compensation, barred from Christchurch for one month, and put under curfew for three months.

Now able to make a fresh start after escaping her violent and dominating husband, Jane said: "There is no going back from here. Life is still not rosy, I still have nothing, but you have to weigh up the situation."

"I was at risk of being killed without a doubt."

Jane described how she covered her bruises and black eyes with make-up as her life descended into a spiral of physical and mental abuse, cut off from family and friends and her self-esteem shredded.

"There was no pattern to the violence. It was something different every day. I was living in fear," she said.

"There was a reason I made that call. If I had really wanted advice I would have called my mother."

She added: "I would advise other women in my situation to do what I have done."

Since Jane's call there have been 137 other referrals to Sgt Whitley's team and he feared there were many more who had not reported incidents of domestic violence.

"There was a time when most domestic incidents were not followed up, but we have swung it around completely. The police role is to protect victims from further violence and to hold the offender accountable," he said.

As well as investigating and prosecuting offenders, the domestic violence unit works with health, social services, legal and voluntary bodies to support victims.

"There are a lot of vulnerable victims and it affects all sections of society. These people should not be suffering alone. We are here to help," said Sgt Whitley.

"We can help change your life."

If you or someone you know is suffering domestic violence call Dorset police on 01202 222 222.

First published: October 23