FIGHTING BACK
We were victims of domestic abuse — but had to save other women from our nightmare
TWO women helped change the law after bravely speaking out about domestic violence they suffered at the hands of their ex-partners.
Now, 16 years later, Sheila Pound and Maria Hall have recreated the iconic image taken by celebrated photographer Rankin that helped launch The Sun’s hard-hitting campaign against abusers.
5
5
5
They are one of the many examples of our amazing readers who, for 50 years since The Sun launched as a tabloid, have gone above and beyond on behalf of others.
In 2003, together with charity Refuge, our campaign sent calls to the domestic violence helpline soaring and helped to reduce the stigma around the then taboo subject, encouraging thousands of women to seek help.
It also triggered some of the most significant law changes in decades. Common assault became an arrestable offence and some “victimless prosecutions” were introduced for the first time, meaning testimony from neighbours, doctors and even child witnesses could be used in court rather than relying solely on the evidence of terrified women.
Lisa King, Refuge’s director of communications, worked on the original campaign and is still in the job today. She said: “It remains a career highlight for me. Many more people began to understand and speak out about domestic abuse following The Sun’s campaign.”
Sheila, now 59, from Havant, Hants, said of the original campaign: “It meant a lot for me to help other women get through domestic abuse. I suffered so much and I thought, ‘I can’t let other women go through this’. It’s a horrific place to be. It’s not easy to leave because you are always looking over your shoulder.”
'PLAY DEAD FOR THREE HOURS'
Sheila’s former partner, Marcus Hiscock, launched a tirade of abuse soon after she moved in with him. The violence escalated and in May 2002 she woke to find his hands around her neck.
It went from monthly to daily beatings. She explains: “Once, I was in bed and woke up. I thought I was sweating but I was bleeding. I had to go to hospital and have stitches in my head.
“The violence continued and about three weeks later he started strangling me one night.
“He sat on the edge of the bed saying, ‘I’ve done a good job this time — I’ve killed you’. I had to play dead for three hours.
“When he went to open the curtains, I was standing behind him and said, ‘You haven’t. I’m still here’.
“That’s when I ran to the local police station.”
Help for victims of domestic abuse
A 24-hour helpline giving help and support to those experiencing domestic abuse is launching today.
The Refuge 24-hour Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline will provide support for survivors and ensure that the voice and knowledge of survivors is front and centre.
It has been designed by survivors, for survivors.
The helpline team is trained to support women experiencing all forms of domestic abuse including emotional, economic and tech abuse, coercive control, rape, sexual and physical violence.
Recent statistics show that around one in three women experience domestic abuse at some time in their life, and around three women a week are currently killed by their current or former partner across England and Wales, making domestic abuse the biggest issue affecting women and children across the country today.
Refuge's helpline also features a web-contact form, making it easier and safer for survivors to ask for help and means they can pre-book the best time to be contacted, which reduces risk when accessing support.
The telephone service will offer support in a variety of languages and strives to be as accessible as possible, meaning more survivors than ever will be able to access the support they need.
Refuge wants all women to know that they are not alone and that we they are there 24/7 to support them.
You can call the Refuge Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit
Hiscock admitted assault and actual bodily harm at Portsmouth Crown Court in August 2002 yet was released just over a year later for good behaviour.
Sheila continued: “When I got the phone call to do the campaign in 2003, I thought, ‘Yes, I have to do it for other women. I have to show them there are survivors.’
“It is mentally, physically and emotionally draining. Bruises clear up but the mental scars stay.”
She became an alcoholic following her ordeal at Hiscock’s hands but has been dry for more than ten years. She also beat breast cancer in 2014 and now works in the mental health sector helping others to recovery.
Maria, 58, from Lye, West Midlands, says it was a big decision to get involved with the campaign, adding: “I remember thinking, ‘Shall I? Is this safe? Shall I just walk away and deal with what I’m dealing with?’.
5
5
“But, ultimately, I had to prove to myself and my kids that I wasn’t scared any more. I had to be the person I wanted to be because he had taken that away from me.
“It was an amazing experience and made me feel empowered. I thought, ‘If I can do this, I can do anything’.”
Maria’s ex-husband, Kevin Bloomer, was charming when they first met while she was working as a barmaid.
She said: “We started seeing each other in 1998 and I found out I was pregnant a few months later.
“He moved in with me and my three children from my previous relationship. One night we went out for a curry with a friend and his wife and there was a disagreement about something silly.
ATTACKED IN THE STREET
“He told me, ‘Why don’t you just shut up’. I said, ‘I’m not just going to shut up’, and he came round and punched me straight in the face and bit my ear. I got up and walked off in floods of tears.
“I was three months pregnant when this kind of abuse started and I did contemplate taking my own life.
“I just hoped he would calm down when the little one arrived.
“Once he attacked me in the street. He had hit me that hard and disfigured me so badly, someone asked me if I had been in a car crash.”
During the final attack, in 2001, Bloomer slashed Maria’s face with a bread knife, leaving her with severe injuries which needed 41 stitches.
MOST READ IN UK NEWS
He was jailed for 18 months for grievous bodily harm in December 2001.
Maria re-married in 2006 and is in a safe and settled relationship.
Reflecting on his iconic photograph Rankin said: “At the time it felt like a brilliant platform to get people talking. I really believe that domestic violence is something we should all discuss. The more hidden it is, the worse it is. I had no idea it would be so successful though. More power to The Sun for doing it.”
Thanks a million
WE have been celebrating our amazing readers who, for 50 years since The Sun launched as a tabloid, have been going above and beyond on behalf of others.
In that time they have raised £100MILLION for various charities and highlighted a whole raft of crucial issues.
To say thank you and to mark our special birthday, we have set up the £1million Sun Readers’ Fund and are asking YOU to tell us about the causes that have touched your lives and nominate them for a donation of between £2,000 and £20,000.
Follow these steps to nominate your charity:
- Go to mcb777.site/50 to nominate a charity and apply for a Sun grant. Tell us in 400 words what it does, why you love it and what sum you think it needs, from £2,000 to £20,000 – but we want to help as many groups as possible.
- Each group must be registered with the Charity Commission or local UK equivalent, and you must include the charity registration number.
- No access to internet? Simply post nomination to Sun Readers’ Fund, The Sun, 1 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9GF.
- T&Cs apply. For details, see mcb777.site/competitions
Holly Willoughby in floods of tears interviewing domestic violence victim Eva Speakman
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]
Topics