If your relationship is abusive get out now, says victim

A Wigan charity has highlighted the importance of reporting domestic violence or abuse, following a harrowing tale from a teenage girl.
Jodie TurnerJodie Turner
Jodie Turner

The DIAS Domestic Violence Centre, based in Rodney House on King Street, commented following the story of Jodie Turner, 17, who was savagely beaten by her former partner, 18-year-old Callum Wareing.

Last week, Wigan magistrates sentenced Wareing to a suspended jail sentence after he stamped on Ms Turner’s head five times in a fit of rage.

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Ms Turner’s bravery has been praised all over the globe, after she posted pictures of her injuries and outed Wareing with screenshots of texts threatening to murder her. Following the media frenzy, the DIAS Centre has commended Ms Turner for her actions both in court and in the aftermath of the beating and is encouraging more women and men to come forward against their abusers.

A spokesperson for the charity, said: “We are hearing about more and more convictions for people with domestic abuse. I think police are taking it more seriously which is good news.

“The more it is talked about the more people are coming forward. What a brave girl to see this all the way through to court.

“She has done incredibly well to do that. The argument is that he got found guilty, which is positive- but the sentence doesn’t really fit the crime.

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“We commend the bravery of this girl to stand up and say ‘this isn’t right’ and to do something about it. We would urge anyone to come forward and see us and drop in. It doesn’t have to be serious. Even if they are just concerned about their partner’s behaviour.”

Ms Turner, in an exclusive interview with the Observer, warned about the signs that people should look for to indicate the potential for abuse in a relationship. She said: “I want people to know that as soon as they are being controlled, or if their partner is overly paranoid, get out straight away. If they are being abused mentally or physically there’s only two outcomes; you come out alive or dead.”

Figures show that 75 per cent of all domestic crimes are carried out by men.

To contact The DIAS Centre call 01942 495230 or visit diasdvc.org/contact-us