A domestic violence survivor has described abusers as “domestic terrorists,” calling for domestic abuse and violence to be treated as a national emergency, as reported by The BBC.
Rachel Williams, who was shot by her ex-husband in 2011, spoke out about the lasting impact of the attack, which left her with life-changing injuries.
“Domestic abuse and violence is a national emergency,” said Williams, 52, from Monmouthshire, recalling the day her estranged husband, Darren Williams, stormed her Newport hair salon and shot her. Despite grappling with him for the gun, he shot her in the leg, later taking his own life. Tragically, six weeks after the attack, her 16-year-old son Jack also died by suicide. Williams now campaigns for education on domestic violence, determined to prevent other families from enduring similar tragedies.
She urged the public to recognise perpetrators of domestic abuse as “domestic terrorists,” highlighting the threat they pose to society.
Williams’ comments come as the Women’s Equality Network (WEN) Wales published its State of the Nation report, revealing that violence against women in Wales remains “shockingly high.” Victoria Vasey, director of WEN Wales, pointed out that three-quarters of domestic abuse incidents and over 80% of sexual assaults are committed against women. The report highlighted the immense pressure on support services, which are struggling due to rising demand and insufficient funding, worsened by the cost-of-living and housing crises.
Welsh Women’s Aid reported a significant rise in referrals for its services since the Covid-19 pandemic, with cases becoming increasingly complex. The charity emphasised the urgent need for sustainable funding to ensure survivors receive the support they need.
The WEN report also addressed broader issues of gender equality, including the representation of women in politics and leadership roles. While Victoria Vasey acknowledged progress, such as having a female first minister in Wales and an “impressively female” cabinet in Westminster, she stressed that local government still suffers from notably low representation of women.
