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'I was bleeding everywhere': Did police fail this woman?

Photos of a beaten and bloodied 19-year-old Sydney woman have led to a barrage of criticism against NSW police, with social media users infuriated by claims police ignored a a potential case of domestic violence.

Confronting images of Ashlee Savins with a bleeding nose and broken tooth have been shared thousands of times on Facebook since Saturday, when she says her boyfriend punched her twice in the face after an argument.

Ashlee Savins was allegedly assaulted just before 1am on Saturday. Photo: Facebook
Ashlee Savins was allegedly assaulted just before 1am on Saturday. Photo: Facebook

The young woman was taken to hospital but, in a post to Facebook by her roommate, it is claimed officers at the St Marys Police station refused to take any action.

“I called the police, he was detained,” Ellie Sutton wrote.


Ms Sutton said she was horrified by the injuries and said it looked like she had been knocked out.

Ms Savins told Fairfax Media she told her housemate what had happened and the pair called the police.

"I was bleeding everywhere," she said.

Ashlee Savins' roommate took her to hospital after the alleged attack. Photo: Facebook
Ashlee Savins' roommate took her to hospital after the alleged attack. Photo: Facebook
Photographs of her injuries have been widely shared. Photo: Facebook
Photographs of her injuries have been widely shared. Photo: Facebook

Ms Sutton and Ms Savins claim police who responded to their 000 call were very supportive and interviewed the abused women from her Napean Hospital bedside, media reported.

But after a follow up call the next morning Ms Savins was told that the case could no longer be pursued.

“Police have now told her they are not going to take matters further because he told them she 'fell on her face' and "'it's her word against his' and there is insufficient evidence.

“Even though he then fled the scene and she has a text message from him pleading with her not to tell anyone. This is NOT acceptable.”

The accused attacker is alleged to have claimed Ms Savins suffered her injuries during a fall.

The explanation has been the subject of furious debate and speculation on social media.

Ashlee's ex-boyfriend is alleged to have punched her twice in the face. Photo: Facebook
Ashlee's ex-boyfriend is alleged to have punched her twice in the face. Photo: Facebook

Attention quickly turned the St Marys Police Facebook page, which has been inundated with one-star reviews by users insisting the man be arrested, charged and made to stand trial.

"I cannot believe that St Mary's Police are choosing to ignore this horrific event, simply because her attacker denied that he did it," wrote Lauren Walters, who said she was Ms Savins' sister.

Another user wrote: "I am very sorry to have to say this but, Police in Australia are horrible when it comes to domestic violence these days and the court system just wants to get you in and out of there as quick as they can."

But police say they have not closed the case. NSW Police confirmed they were investigating all aspects of an incident at 12.45am, Saturday, December 12, at Oxley Park.

It is understood police are also looking into how the original complaint was handled at St Marys.

“Both parties have been formally interviewed and follow-up inquiries are continuing with the investigation," a NSW Police spokesman said.

Ms Savins was allegedly assaulted after an argument at her home. He allegedly punched her twice, breaking her nose and her tooth.

In a series of instant messages afterwards, the man appears to ask her to keep the incident quiet.

A conversation allegedly between Ms Savins and her ex. Photo: Facebook
A conversation allegedly between Ms Savins and her ex. Photo: Facebook

“Please don’t tell anyone. I can’t get done for this. I’ll lose everything,” he allegedly wrote.

In a statement to Yahoo7 a police spokesman said: "Police are investigating the full circumstances surrounding an alleged domestic assault that occurred at 10:45am, Saturday, December 12, in Oxley park."

"Both parties have been interviewed and follow up inquiries are continuing with the investigation."

Ms Savins told media when she was called in to the same police station to give another statement and told inquiries were due to Facebook comments.

"I am still in shock and haven't gotten my head around it," Ms Savins told media.

"I'm so disappointed in the police because they're only taking this seriously now that they are getting bad press.

Ms Savins said she was driven to escalate the case because she wanted to take a stand against domestic violence. She said she was disappointed police had not taken her seriously until the allegations were posted to social media.

"I had to [do] this for myself and every other woman who goes through this or will potentially go through this," the 19-year-old said.

If you or someone you know needs help or is suffering from domestic violence, don't suffer in silence call the 24 hour Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63.