IN the summer or 2003 I was forced to return to St Helens from my home in Manchester to help my sister who I had found out had been suffering from physical, mental and emotional abuse at the hands of her boyfriend for almost a year.

While the publicity given by the St Helens Police to domestic violence is very welcome, the reality of the situation when seeking support and help from the police is very different.

All the while my sister was forced to leave the home she has occupied all her life and walk the streets of St Helens in fear. Almost 18 months on, the verbal abuse to myself and my sister still continues in the town centre and local streets of St Helens by this sick individual and his 'friends'. I grew up with domestic violence, it would appear that the town has never grown up.

P. L. (via e-mail, name & address supplied).