Most people assume that domestic abuse is always physical. This is not the case. Emotional abuse is a pattern of behaviour designed to intimidate, frighten and control a partner. It is illegal and perpetrators can be prosecuted, but awareness of this is disturbingly low and, as a result, many cases go unreported.
The expressions printed into the skin – “who else would want you?”, “you belong to me”, “it’s your fault” – are all phrases that are frequently reported in cases of emotional abuse.
When it comes to domestic violence against women, courageous witnesses are usually the only way out of the vicious circle. But the traces of the deeds are often hidden from outsiders. So the Women's Aid Federation Northern Ireland started a print campaign with the painfully staged message to help.