Nearly half of the women killed as a result of domestic violence were murdered by someone's bare hands.

A new report from Women's Aid shows that more than 22,000 women and children reported abuse last year.

The report paints a grim picture, a woman who had scalding water poured down her jumper, a mother who was punched in the face while driving a car with her children in the back.  Another woman who was forced by her partner to have sex with another man.

There were more than 16,000 reports of domestic violence against women last year.

The report shows that children also suffered with almost 6,000 reports of emotional, physical and sexual abuse.

Sean Defoe reports 

Anyone affected by the content of this report can contact Women's Aid National Freephone Helpline on

1800 341 900.