Domestic abuse victims are being urged not to suffer in silence during the coronavirus lockdown.

Police in Powys have launched a new campaign to raise awareness around a potential increase in domestic abuse incidents as a result of people being at home under the current national restrictions.

Inspector Jonathan Rees-Jones, a Newtown-based police officer who is leading the campaign to end domestic violence against women, said eight warning signs can help people recognise an abusive relationship which could potentially save lives.

The eight stages were developed from evidence-based research led by Professor Jane Monkton-Smith following a review of 372 deaths where women were killed by their male partner or an ex across the UK.

During the first lockdown, Dyfed-Powys Police said it had seen a decrease in reports of domestic abuse since the government enforced its social distancing measures.

“Domestic abuse thrives on silence and perpetrators make that threat very early on in a relationship,” Insp. Rees-Jones said. “A lot of the time, victims sometimes do not even realise the relationship they are in is dangerous.

“With the eight stages, victims can identify themselves in the relationship and the escalation, so they know when to get out of that relationship safely and with support.”

Domestic abuse is not always physical violence. It can also include coercive control and ‘gaslighting’, economic abuse, online abuse, threats and intimidation, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse.

The eight warning signs to look out for include:

1. Pre-relationship history: criminal record and previous allegations

2. Early relationship behaviours such as early commitment

3. Relationship behaviours: risk markers

4. Potential homicide trigger: separation, ill health, financial problems, threats, or rumours

5. Escalation: frequency, seriousness, stalking or persistence.

6. Change in thinking

7. Planning: buying weapons, grave digging, manipulate meetings, letters, organising papers

8. Homicide: homicide/suicide, confession, missing person, denial, accident, multiple victims

Insp. Rees-Jones added: “Thankfully, not all relationships are abusive but when they are there is a lot of psychological aspects of domestic abuse before the physical abuse and can also happen together.

“Victims think they can change the perpetrator regardless of their previous relationships. Inevitably, very rarely that would happen which is why, with the eight stages, victims can identify themselves in the relationship and the escalation, so they know when to get out of that relationship.

“In rural areas, victims may feel even more isolated than in urban areas which why we need people to report any signs of domestic abuse and not just look for the physical sides of domestic abuse because you miss a lot.

“A lot of the times victims do not want to talk about it because they feel embarrassed that they are in that type of relationship.”

Insp. Rees-Jones, who is a White Ribbon Ambassador at Dyfed-Powys Police, has been working with Powys County Council and other partners with adult and child safeguarding responsibilities.

He added: “The Domestic Abuse Officers (DAO) working in Powys do tremendous work to support victims of domestic abuse and supporting the delivery on domestic abuse.

“Perpetrators of domestic abuse are offered the scheme to assists in increasing awareness of the harm caused to partners, increase awareness of harm caused to children, challenge distorted beliefs and attitudes, equip users with skills to develop a healthy relationship and move away from violence and abuse.

“Make domestic abuse services more accessible and innovative, offer an easy use early intervention.”

On average the police in England and Wales receive more than 100 calls relating to domestic abuse every hour.

Hollie Kerrell, from Knucklas near Knighton, and Tracy Johnson, who was living near Machynlleth at the time, were both killed by their former partners.

Hollie, a 28-year-old mother of three, was brutally murdered by her husband Christopher Llewellyn Kerrell. He killed her with a hammer before her body was driven to his mother's farm and burying her body in a shallow grave. He was sentenced to life in prison in 2018.

Tracy Johnson moved to Machynlleth to a farmhouse in April 2016. Four months later she was murdered by her ex-partner Nigel McGrath.

Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre said the family wished she was aware of their services and was able to access them.

The Newtown-based charity said it had seen a "new peak" in domestic abuse referrals since the coronavirus restrictions were eased, adding that it is expecting more calls now that children have returned to school.

"February was a busy month with tensions following Christmas," said adult outreach manager Hayley Heard.

"It is great that school have reopened because teachers are constantly having an eye out for problems at home".

The charity is urging people to continue to "look out for each other" during lockdown.

Mrs Heard added: "There are millions of reasons why victims do not leave an abusive relationship]. They can be financially dependent on the partner, scared that they have got nowhere to go. It is huge.

“It is about trying to understand the client’s journey. They are usually in a chaotic thought process, needing structure back in their life."

If you know someone experiencing domestic abuse or would like more information on how you can help from Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre and raise awareness of the charity’s services, message or call 01686 629114.

Domestic abuse and sexual violence victims can also call Women's Aid's 24-hour helpline on 0808 80 10 800.

If it is an emergency, always phone the police on 999