ONE in four women experience domestic violence at some point in their lives.

Over the last 13 years the West Dorset Women’s Refuge has provided help to 495 women and 687 children.

However, the Refuge has been unable to help a further 2321 women and 3347 children because it does not have the resources to do so.

• Case study one: A DOMESTIC violence victim has slammed the justice system for handing out short sentences for ‘appalling sustained’ violence against women.

Lexie, 33, who has spent time in the West Dorset Women’s Refuge said that the system was clearly not working if the women who finally did come forward did not get the justice they deserved.

She said: “My perpetrator only got four months after everything he did to me including horrific violence, sustained abuse and even kidnapping.

“There needs to be much tougher sentences for people who are actually trying to kill their partners.

“In this case he had two other charges against women.

“Although this sentence is higher than my partner received it still isn’t good enough.”

Lexie states that the refuge saved the life of herself and her children after being placed there by the police.

She added: “The refuges are the only place to go when you need to get out and people need to know how important they are.”

• Case study two: A SURVIVOR of eight years of frenzied domestic violence has said it is ‘absolutely brilliant’ that the justice system has sent Carpenter behind bars.

The 47-year-old, who cannot be named for her own safety, said: “Although this is not a long sentence it is still important because for many women they never get to see justice.

“Although it’s not long enough I think it's absolutely brilliant that something has been done.”

She said she personally never went through the legal system with her husband because she was scared of her daughter being put on the ‘at risk’ register. She now regrets this decision and after getting help from the West Dorset Women’s Refuge she has been able to move on with her life.

She and her young daughter turned up in Weymouth last year with only the clothes on their back to escape her violent husband.

She added: “This case shows why it's so important that women come forward and talk to the police.”