MYTHS and taboos still persist around domestic violence despite growing awareness on the issue, research has revealed.

A study carried out on behalf of the Government showed many women do not expect it to happen to them and are surprised at who is affected by it.

The results showed that, in theory, women knew about domestic violence but would be very shocked if it happened to them.

The study of 500 women across the UK also found that 85 per cent of women questioned said they would never expect to find themselves in an abusive relationship, despite figures showing one in four women experience attacks at some point in their life.

Many of the women questioned felt that domestic violence only happened to certain types of women and was only perpetrated by certain types of men.

In the North, 78 per cent of women questioned would never expect to find themselves in an abusive relationship and only three per cent admitted they would confide in family and friends if it happened to them.

The survey was conducted as part of a Government campaign to raise awareness of the new 0808 2000 247 Free-phone 24-hour national domestic violence helpline run in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge.