AWARD-winning actress Crissy Rock is backing a new campaign to stop domestic abuse campaign across Cheshire.

Be a Lover not a Fighter is asking the public to pledge their support to help put an end to domestic abuse.

It aims to raise awareness of the often hidden issue by encouraging people to talk about it.

Crissy Rock, who suffered years of domestic abuse herself said: “I can’t say enough about how much people should talk about this issue.

"If it helps just one woman overcome her fear and be able to leave that situation then it’s worth it.

"If more people are aware of what domestic abuse is, the types of abuse out there and that it isn’t as simple as just leaving that person then there will be more survivors.”

One in three women and one in six men have suffered domestic abuse with two women killed every week in the UK by their partners.

Matthew Ashton, the director of public health spokesman for the campaign said: “Domestic abuse is an issue that is still kept very much behind closed doors.

"People know it goes on but they don’t talk about it. This campaign aims to breakdown boundaries and stop domestic abuse being a hidden issue in communities."