HUNDREDS of victims abused and beaten at the hands of their partners across the city are still suffering in silence, it has been warned.

Jacky Silvester, who works with domestic abuse victims, revealed she finds it 'worrying' men and women are battling terrifying ordeals without support.

The independent domestic violence advisor at charity Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse is now urging victims to speak out to try and flee their abusive relationships.

Speaking of what feels is a 'huge' issue within the city, she said: "[Victims] think they’re alone and there’s no way out of their situation as this is what they’re being told day in and day out by their perpetrators, and they soon come to believe it.

"The transformation between seeing a client that had low self-esteem who is tearful, frightened, fretful, scared and depressed to one who is full of vitality, confidence and self-assurance is the best high on the planet."

At least 45 victims from across Oxford are currently being supported by Mrs Silvester, who helps both men and women escape their perpetrators and begin a new life.

She tries to gain their trust, empowering them to believe they are strong enough to live a abuse-free life, supporting some through testifying in court.

Ms Silvester also tries to find accommodation for victims immediately fleeing an abusive partner, or develops safety plans which includes changing their locks and putting up lights outside their homes.

She said: "[Domestic abuse] is something that is never going to go away. We just do what we can to make sure people are safe.

"The victims don't realise what they have been through, or it's been happening for so long, they have become accustomed to it. You would not realise [domestic abuse] goes on in this beautiful city but it does.

"There are people out there who will support them and will not judge them. They can't just leave, it's not that easy, and we understand that.

"Sometimes they do have to leave [the city] because the danger to to them is so extreme. I don't like people having to leave home unless they absolutely have to because why should they?"

Mrs Silvester, who has been with the charity for three years, said her 'life-changing' work would be impossible without generous funding from Comic Relief.

The charity has been handed a total of more than £86,000 in the past three years to fund her post to help continue supporting high-risk victims.

Mrs Silvester added: "[Without the funding] victims could still be with that perpetrator, still in that house, still being beaten up."

Red Nose Day, taking place on Friday, will see people across the country dig deep into their pockets to help make a difference to thousands of people across Africa and the UK facing injustice or fighting poverty.