Shocking levels of abuse in Warwickshire homes

But perhaps the most shocking statistic is the fact that an estimated 40 per cent of all abuse in the home is never reported to the police, according to social workers.

Senior police officers, including Warwickshire Chief Constable Andy Parker, were among those at the conference held at the Lord Leycester Hotel in Jury Street.

Among the delegates was Sue Ingram, domestic abuse manager for the county council, who said it was good to see not only leaders of Christian churches and communities but also those from Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and other faiths.

Ms Ingram stressed: “Nobody has to go through abuse alone, although we know that 40 per cent are too afraid to report the situation.

“In Warwick District alone, which includes Leamington, Warwick, Kenilworth and the surrounding villages, we know that in the last two or three years some 2,312 cases of adult domestic abuse are reported in any 12 month period.

“And of those we know about it has later been accepted that some 231 were at high risk of losing their lives.”

The conference in Warwick was organised by Kudakwashe Nyakudya, the founding director of an organisation called Kahrmel Wellness.

Warwickshire Social Services has a free confidential helpline on 0800 4081552.