LIVING in fear of her life was nothing new for Amy*.

For five years she endured violence and threats at the hands of her partner.

But it was when she woke up in hospital next to a woman who had been so viciously beaten around the head that her face was swollen to twice its size that she knew she had to find a way out.

Amy says: "That poor woman died later that night. Her husband was put away for manslaughter and it could so easily have been me. I knew I had to do something so I broke down and told my family what was happening to me."

In the early days of their relationship Ian was possessive and would often get into fights but once he explained his traumatic past Amy attempted to help him.

"I wanted to be there for him and get him through whatever was making him do this so I got him to go to a counsellor to talk about things. I thought it was a step forward,' says Amy.

But once the couple were home Ian subjected her to a violent assault blaming her for humiliating him.

With three daughters from previous relationships, Amy eventually fell pregnant to Ian.

She says: "I hoped it would make him see things differently because he had always tried to get me to put him before the girls."

Six months into the pregnancy, Ian told Amy he wanted her to have an abortion. She refused and another fight ensued.

It culminated in Amy barricading herself in a bedroom with her three girls.

Soon after the birth, Ian began to act strangely.

Amy explained: "I would see that glazed look come over his eyes and know he was about to blow. I was constantly walking on eggshells.

"I knew things were getting worse - he'd hold a knife to my throat and really press it against my skin. I honestly believed that he would kill me and it got to the point where I wasn't sure if I really cared any more."

When the abuse resumed after she left hospital, Amy knew she had to seek help.

"I hadn't told anyone what was happening - not my family, friends or colleagues and that was because of the fear - that's what holds women back from telling and from making that phone call to the police.

"He'd always say to me that if I called the police and they took him away he'd only be locked up for one night and that put the fear of God into me. He'd say that if he was going to go away for it he'd make sure he went away for something big. The biggest challenge was breaking free of the fear."

Amy chose to confide in a mutual friend who helped her make a break for it.

"Once I'd told someone and broken my silence it made it easier to tell my family."

But even once she'd broken free and sold the home they shared the terror didn't stop - Ian would stalk her incessantly, follow her and on one occasion even attempt to run her car off the road.

And because the couple had a child together, a bitter custody battle meant that Amy had to relive every incident of abuse.

She says: "I knew I was telling the truth so I thought I'd be okay. I just wanted to protect our little girl because I knew what Ian was capable of but because the police didn't have enough of a log of evidence it didn't work out as I thought it would.

"My advice to other abused women is to break your silence - it's the only way to escape from the fear.

"If you're not ready to do that, confide in someone like your GP and get him or her to keep a log of every incident so it can't be found at home. I didn't contact the police because I really believed he would kill me if I did. There are other women in that position."

If you are a victim of domestic violence and need confidential help or advice, call The Relationships Centre on 246910

*Amy is not her real name

sharker@guardiangrp.co.uk