A NEWPORT domestic abuse survivor says more women's refuges need to be created as 284 women in Wales were turned away last year due to lack of space.

Rachel Williams, who suffered years of domestic abuse at the hands of her husband was shot by him after she broke off the marriage. Her estranged husband, Darren, 45, shot Ms Williams at the Carol Ann Hair Salon on Malpas Road in August 2011. 

He was later found hanging in woods near their Brynglas home. After the shooting, Ms Williams had most of her left leg rebuilt following an eight-hour operation.

She is now a ambassador for Welsh Women's Aid and Llanelli Women's Aid and joined other campaigners at the Senedd for a candlelight vigil on Wednesday to mark the international day for the elimination of violence against women and white ribbon day.

The white ribbon day which took place on November 25, marks the starts of a 16 days of activism against gender violence which end on the international human rights day on December 10.

Ms Williams said: "I think Wales is a step forward with the violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual abuse bill. Wales is taking the lead in my eye but there is still so much to be done. 

"You just have to look at the statistics - two women a week die of abuse nationally and three a week take their own life to escape the abuse.

"In my eyes it's an epidemic - there is no other word for it."

Ms Williams said more refuges are needed as 2,000 women in the UK were turned away last year as there was no room.

She added: "We're talking about 300 women's refuges in the UK compared to 1,500 animal refuges. It doesn't make sense."

She said more services need to be readily available such as counselling services as she said in some cases women are having to wait up to 12 weeks for a counselling session.

She added: "We need to raise awareness. It is horrendous - I myself being in that environment and have lived through it I can see how bad the problem is. I feel like the voice of those who have no voice or weren't lucky enough to escape it and have lost their lives."

Ms Williams set up Facebook page Don't Look Back to support victims of domestic abuse; to highlight her story, which has been printed in a booklet; and to act as a platform for donations to Women’s Aid.

She said she receives daily messages from women who are victims of domestic violence.