LEADER of the Welsh Lib Dems Kirsty Williams underwent a shocking makeover to help raise awareness of the devastating consequence of domestic violence and to support the Welsh Women’s Aid ‘Face Facts’ campaign.
Kirsty joined eight other female AMs – including Mid and West Wales AMs Joyce Watson and Nerys Evans – to take part in the photo shoot which launched the campaign and marked International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (White Ribbon Day) on November 25.
Nationally acclaimed make-up artist, Diana McDonald (who has worked on BBC’s Casualty and EastEnders and ITV’s The Bill) applied specialist makeup to AMs to reflect the harrowing physical effects of domestic violence, reflecting the campaign's message that domestic abuse can happen to women from all walks of life.
Kirsty Williams AM for Brecon and Radnorshire said: “The results of the makeover are shocking and I’m sure a lot of people will find these photos upsetting; but this is nothing compared to what all too many women experience through acts of domestic abuse.
“Even in today’s society we have worryingly high rates of violence against women and we must do all we can to stamp out this terrible phenomenon which devastates the lives of one in four women.
“These are strong images and I hope that their message will really hit home that domestic violence is unacceptable and women must not suffer in silence.”
Nerys Evans, who was named ITV Campaigner of the Year last December for her campaigning work on domestic abuse issues, co-hosted the event.
She said:“I was proud to co –host and take part in the recent White Ribbon Day event.
“During the event I was made up to show how I would look if my eye was bruised and indeed the result really shocked me. Domestic abuse of course is not only about physical abuse – many women are psychologically abused by their partners, yet no one can see the emotional scars.
“All forms of domestic abuse ruin the lives of hundreds of thousands of women and children every year, and we can all do something to help.
“Wearing a White Ribbon is symbolic of a promise to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. It was an excellent opportunity to highlight this issue as domestic abuse and violence against women is not talked about in our society largely because women do not speak out about their experiences.”
Joyce, who hosted the event and is about to publish her report on trafficking of women and children in Wales, said: "This photo shoot graphically shows the physical consequences of something which happens all around us every day. I am asking men and women to stand up together to say a clear 'no'.
"It is simply unacceptable that 15 women were killed in Wales in the last year alone."
Paula Hardy, chief executive of Welsh Women’s Aid, added: “We hope that these images of women in public life encourage other women to seek advice and information. I would like to thank all the Assembly Members who volunteered their time to contribute to the campaign.”
Domestic violence affects one in four women at some point in their lifetime, yet it is still often ignored and many women are suffering in silence.
For women and children who are experiencing domestic abuse and are ready to seek information and support the Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline provides a 24 hour, free, bilingual and confidential service and can be contacted on 0808 8010800.