Behind CLOSED DOORS

Every 30 seconds, police receive a call for help related to domestic abuse

- FRANCESCA WOODSTOCK, JOE CUSACK.

Earlier this month, shocking pictures emerged of Lauren Goodger, 35, with a black eye, following an alleged assault on 4 August 2022. The TOWIE star had tragically attended the funeral of her newborn daughter Lorena earlier that day. The baby was born on 8 July 2022 with the umbilical cord tied around her neck, and passed away just minutes later.

But hours after laying her daughter to rest, Lauren was allegedly attacked. It was reported that her boyfriend, Charles Drury, 25, who is also the father to their one-year-old daughter Larose, was arrested on suspicion of assault later that night, before being released on bail the following day, pending further investigation.

Charles Drury denied attacking Lauren, saying, ‘There’s a completely different side to stuff.’

According to Women’s Aid, police in England and Wales receive over 100 calls relating to domestic abuse every hour, and domestic violence charity Refuge says that one in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.

We speak to one woman who almost died at the hands of an abusive partner, and who is now offering support to other victims.

‘LOVE SHOULDN’T HURT’

Emma Cranston, 40, lives in Cheshire. When I met George in 2012, he was charming and funny. He’d recently moved on to my street and after he helped me with my shopping bags one day, we became friends.

George, then 18, was younger than me, so I didn’t see him in a romantic way at first. I’d just been through a divorce and had two young children. But as we grew closer, I felt I could tell George anything.