Reports of domestic abuse cases have risen by as much as 25 per cent since the introduction of stringent lockdown rules in the United Kingdom, reports charity Refuge.

Campaigners have warned that the increased time spent in close proximity and the reduced chance of 'escape routes' such as the school run, are significantly linked to the abuse.

The National Domestic Abuse helpline has reported hundreds more calls than the two weeks previously and visits to the website for information have risen by 150 per cent from those in February.

One woman, who was been named 'Tara' in order to protect her identity, told the BBC  life with her abuser had escalated so far it had become almost impossible to live at home with him, meaning she has now fled.

He was 'mentally abusive, verbally and obviously hitting me', she said.

"Recently it's obviously been getting worse, since the lockdown."

She admitted she even lost the will to live as a result of the abuse adding: "It's been bad… I didn't care if I didn't wake up like from the night before... I just knew what was going to happen the next day, I just wanted the days to go past."

Her abuser chose to isolate her from friends and family as well as controlling her behaviour and deleting her social media accounts.

Being in lockdown had also escalated this behaviour hugely, she said.

Tara could no longer endure life at home and has fled to a refuge in Wales where she is being supported by the charity Llamau, which supports young people and vulnerable women.

Refuge have said that the helpline will remain open 24 hours a day during the lockdown and men and women can also use the online service to contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline.

The site has a 'quick exit' button which deletes all record of the contact should the abuser check.

Victims can call theNational Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 

They can also visit the online site: www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk