By Sian Claire Owen

As we celebrate International Women's Day, domestic violence has been hitting the headlines. Rihanna's recent assault by rapper Chris Brown and a photo of Danielle Lloyd's bruised and battered face have caught the public eye, but there are countless cases that will never be reported. Domestic violence takes place behind closed doors and is often very secretive.

However, the internet, online forums and social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace are increasingly being used to raise awareness of domestic violence. Many women are using global technology to break the silence of this growing problem.

One such woman is Michelle Major. On the outside she had an ideal life, a great job teaching art and painting, a beautiful baby daughter and a doting husband. But behind the scenes Michelle's "doting husband" was violent, emotionally abusive and controlling. After years of abuse, he slashed her treasured paintings before attacking and strangling her, leaving her for dead.

Somehow Michelle found the courage to speak out about her ordeal, using the internet and social networking as a way of telling her story. She now talks publicly about domestic violence, and displays her slashed paintings on her website beavoicearts.com as a powerful example of what she endured at the hands of her husband.

"The internet can reach into the nooks and crannies of the world and touch more people than our minds could possibly fathom," she explains. "I used Facebook and my website in the hope that people will read my story and think that if one woman can get out, leave the abuse and begin to live her life after almost dying, maybe, just maybe I can do it too."

Jo Hunt is another woman who used social networking to raise awareness of domestic violence. She read about the closure of her local women's refuge in her local paper. She created her MySpace profile "Raising Awareness" in protest. Within weeks over 400 ‘friends' had linked to her site, and she successfully lobbied to have the refuge re-opened.

"I had a personal MySpace page, and once I posted a blog on domestic violence I was swamped by messages from people saying that they too had been affected," she explains. "It was then I decided to make another site that was purely for raising awareness."

"MySpace profiles can really be successful," she adds. "It gets people talking, and is a fantastic way to spread news really quickly."

Community forums and online discussion boards are also great for spreading the word. On the Handbag Community forum, users post threads discussing their experiences, and point towards invaluable resources where women can go for help. The reassurance that these women are not alone is priceless.

Teresa Parker, a spokesperson from Woman's Aid agrees. "Women in abusive relationships often feel isolated and alone," she says. "Social networking sites can appeal because women are able to contact other women who will understand what they are going through."

Talking to other women with similar experiences can also break the taboo of domestic violence. As Teresa explains: "Many women feel a sense of shame about their experiences and don't feel comfortable talking about it. Social networking sites provide an anonymous platform where women can talk about things they wouldn't necessarily discuss with friends. Once they realise that there is nothing to be ashamed of it can be easier to seek help."

In fact, with funding from The Body Shop, Women's Aid is launching an online message board for survivors of domestic violence later this year. The Facebook group for their ACT campaign has over 1,300 members, and it encourages women to admit that domestic violence is a problem, call it by its name and talk about it.

And the need for awareness has never been greater. According to Women's Aid, domestic violence is the major cause of death and disability for European women aged 16 to 44. Not only that, but research released by the Home Office shows that one in five adults believe it is acceptable for a man to slap his wife or girlfriend, and that ‘nagging', ‘moaning' or wearing sexy clothes are justifiable excuses for using violence.

At least one in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, and one in eight experience it year on year. To put it bluntly, a woman is more at risk from death or injury at the hands of a violent partner than they are from breast cancer.

Although social networking and the internet don't provide all the answers, they can give women the opportunity to reach out and connect with other sufferers. Sharing their experiences and understanding that they are not alone may help them take the first steps to a better future.

As Michelle says: "Although personally I may never meet each woman that sees my artwork, views my website, or views my posts on domestic violence forums, what a woman takes away may be her own safety, or even life."

Useful links
Women's Aid: www.womensaid.org.uk
Refuge: www.refuge.org.uk
Home Office, Domestic violence: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/reducing-crime/domestic-violence

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