Why brave domestic abuse survivor is sharing photo of gruesome injuries
A brave domestic abuse survivor has shared photos of the sickening injuries she suffered at the hands of her partner after he was jailed for seven years.
Lynn Hart, 53, of England’s West Midlands, was left with extensive bruising across her face and body following the vicious beating from boyfriend of three years David Harrison, 52, on May 5, police said.
Ms Hart’s eyes were swollen shut for days and her injuries were so severe she was taken through the surgery’s rear door to avoid upsetting other patients.
Police said Harrison “flew into a rage” on the morning on May 5 after returning home with alcohol.
Harrison punched Ms Hart in the face “repeatedly” and used a TV soundbar as a weapon.
The 53-year-old woman was defenceless on the floor while her partner spat and stamped on her during the cruel attack.
“I genuinely thought he was going to kill me,” she said in a statement released by police.
“He just kept punching me in the face and then picked up the TV speaker and used that to hit me. I don’t remember how I got out of the flat. It’s all a blur.”
Ms Hart fled to her son’s house where she called the ambulance and police.
“I love David, that’s why I stayed with him through the beatings, in the hope he’d change but I knew my life was in danger if I stayed with him and enough was enough,” she said.
Harrison told police Ms Hart had fallen down the stairs when he was arrested the following day.
Ms Hart said the couple had moved in together after about six months of dating.
She said he was a heavy drinker and “slowly things started going wrong”.
“First it was verbal abuse, putting me down and telling me things like, ‘your family don’t love you, only I love you’, but then he started with the physical attacks and they got worse over time,” she said.
“I would put on extra make-up and come up with excuses for anyone who saw through the concealer.”
Ms Hart said she loved Harrison and wanted him to change. She was given hope as he would frequently apologise for the outbursts and told her he would stop.
“But I also thought there’s no point reporting it to the police as it would be my word against his,” she said.
“I wouldn’t be believed, and he’d then beat me even more but that proved to be wrong and the police had enough to convict him.
“Looking back I should have got the police involved earlier but it’s easy to say in hindsight. They supported me from the moment I reported it, believed in me – that was important – and guided me through the court process.”
On September 3, Harrison was jailed for seven years.
‘If I stayed I would have ended up dead’
Ms Hart has shared her story and photos of her injuries for anyone “torn between their love for a partner but every day scared they could be assaulted for no reason”.
“What I’d say is get help. It’s unlikely their abusive partner will suddenly just change – so speak to support groups like Women’s Aid and speak to the police. They can help you escape violent situations and come out the other side,” she said.
“I know how difficult breaking away can be but I truly feel that if I’d have stayed with David any longer I would have ended up dead."
West Midlands Police Detective Inspector Catherine Webb-Jones said Harrison’s behaviour “escalated over time”.
“Harrison proved to be a monster ... with alcohol often being the trigger for his offending,” Det Insp Webb-Jones said.
“Lynn’s appeal comes from the heart: victims of abuse need to find the courage to seek support. Don’t suffer alone and don’t tolerate abuse.
“Lynn is a survivor and others victims can take comfort and seek their own solace from the courage she has shown.”
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, find help by visiting White Ribbon or calling 1800 RESPECT.
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