Disgrace of abuse at home; OPINION.

DOMESTIC abuse is too polite a name for the thuggery going on behind Scotland's front doors.

For far too long, the bullying and beating of girlfriends, wives and partners has been Scotland's secret shame.

The injury and mental torture inflicted on victims disgraces the men inflicting it but also a society which has ignored it for too long.

Last year, in Strathclyde alone, there were 27,000 incidents reported to the police.

But far more go unreported - possibly five times as many - as victims are often too scared of their partners to report them.

Others tolerate the violence, rather than put their children through more trauma.

Today, we reveal the heartache behind the statistics with the harrowing tale of young mum Laura Thomson stabbed to death by her jealous ex-boyfriend.

Friends and family say she never revealed the full extent of his violent behaviour.

The Strathclyde Police taskforce that will target offenders is to be welcomed.

But other measures are needed, such as support agencies providing extra help and advice and more safe havens being made available.

There have to be support networks so that victims feel able to speak out.

Research in domestic violence shows that it tends to escalate, in some tragic cases ending in murder.

It is, sadly, too late for Laura.

CAPTION(S):

Failed by the system: Laura