Stalking victim shot by estranged husband launches awareness campaign

A woman who almost died when she was shot by her estranged husband nearly five years ago will today launch a campaign to highlight the dangers posed by men who stalk their ex-partners.

44-year-old Rachel Williams was shot in the leg by her former husband Darren at the hairdressing salon where she worked in Newport just six weeks after they split up.

Darren had bombarded Rachel with texts and even sat outside her workplace after she had left him, but she didn't immediately recognise this as stalking.

Rachel, who has since remarried, is now keen to raise awareness amongst others who find themselves in abusive relationships.

Rachel will today launch a campaign aimed at highlighting the dangers posed by men who stalk their former partners. Funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Gwent, a specially made film will look to educate potential victims and their families so they can identify stalking behaviour and seek appropriate help.

Read more: Duchess of Cornwall moved by Rachel Williams' testimony of abuse

According to latest research:

The Network for Surviving Stalking charity says that spotting the signs of stalking is "key" to preventing domestic homicide.

Hannah Thomas reports.