The “taboo” subject of domestic abuse should be brought out into the open and discussed, the Duchess of Cornwall has said before International Women’s Day.
Speaking at the launch of the 10th annual Women of the World (WOW) festival at the Southbank Centre in central London, the duchess said domestic abuse was everyone’s problem and the solution must be, too.
“I find it almost impossible to think that any friend of mine might be living under that horrific threat, without my knowing it, but that is the power of coercive control and violence in the home.
“It is characterised by silence – silence from those that suffer – silence from those around them, and silence from those who perpetrate abuse. This silence is corrosive; it leaves women, children and men carrying the burden of shame. It prevents them from speaking out about the abuse and it prevents them from getting help. And at its worst it can be fatal.”