Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence

"Some of those women have been living in that situation for decades," says Marianne Hatwell, manager of Braintree Women's Aid.

Domestic abuse affects every aspect of someone's life, including their emotional and physical wellbeing, as well as their finances.

The women who choose to leave home face leaving everything they knew behind and having to start again.

"It is a real leap of faith. I think the women are extremely courageous," said Mrs Hatwell.

"When they arrive, lots of people arrive with just a couple of bags of clothes and not much else at all."

Staff at the refuge ensure they have the basics, including food, clothes, toiletries, and key workers are separately assigned to the women and their children.

They provide support with everything from making sure they get their welfare benefits to help with housing and seeking protection orders against the person who abused them.

"When you're in a situation where your back is against the wall, you don't think there are options.

"We support them through the whole journey. After thinking about it, discussing it, they will decide where they want their future to go," said Mrs Hatwell.

The refuge's two child support officers ensure that children get into education and work with them on a one-to-one basis.

In the long term, they aim to help them so that they do not get face a similar situation as their mothers in the future, said Mrs Hatwell.

"Most importantly we have got two terrific play rooms. The aim of the play rooms is that children will regain their childhood, which is what every child is entitled to have," she said.

Staff give the women who come to the refuge every opportunity and encouragement to gain control of their future and build on their self esteem so they can move forward.

"Domestic violence by its nature is very isolating. People often blame themselves, they think it's their fault, think they are the only one going through it," said Mrs Hatwell.

Simple things that people take for granted can help build the women's esteem.

The refuge runs an On Your Bike project, where mothers can borrow mountain bikes with child seats on the back.

"That's really good for the women because it gives them a sense of freedom and helps them build confidence," said Mrs Hatwell.

"For some women, when they have been the subject of being controlled and bullied most of their lives, to have that freedom and be able to ride a bike although to us it's a really small thing for them it's a big achievement."

The refuge has seven bedsits, three flats, two children's playrooms and a garden.

It rarely has empty rooms. Women have to be referred and can stay as long as they need to.

On average, this is ten to 12 months because housing is difficult to come by.

There are seven staff at the refuge, which is a charity and receives some funding from sources including the government and Children in Need.

They provide a "floating support service" for those women and families that move on from the refuge into the rest of the Braintree district, for as long as they need help.

They also have an outreach service at the Seesaw Children's Centre, Braintree, where they provide a listening ear and support to women who are living with domestic violence but do not necessarily want to go to a refuge.

"They can have a cup of tea. Noone asks them for any names or details if they don't want to give them," said Mrs Hatwell.

There is also a resource centre and staff provide training with external organisations so they can assist women who come to them in the first instance seeking help.

Mrs Hatwell said Braintree Women's Aid does not fit the preconceived ideas some people may have.

"People get a wrong idea about refuges. They tend to think they are very sad places, a bit dour.

"But at our refuge we work really hard to make it bright, breezy and a very positive environment.

"We do not look at a victim mentality but dealing with what's happened in your life and moving on and making a better life for you and your children."