Rachel Williams has released these images of her gunshot injuries to raise awareness of domestic abuse
A hairdresser shot by her estranged husband has released shocking pictures of her injuries in a bid to raise awareness about domestic abuse.
Rachel Williams, 44, suffered the horrific injuries after she was shot by estranged husband Darren at the salon where she worked.
Rachel was blasted at point blank range in the left knee and the other shot peppered salon customers, injuring two.
The gunman then shouted: “I love you” before storming out.
The brutal attack, in Newport in August 2011, took place six weeks after the couple split. Darren was later found dead in nearby woodland.
An inquest into his death in 2013 heard he wanted to get "revenge" on Rachel.
Rachel has now released graphic images of the gunshot wound to her knee to raise awareness of domestic violence.
Rachel, whose 16-year-old son Jack was later found hanged in the same woods, said: “When I look back I wasn’t aware of the help available to domestic abuse victims.
“Now I know of the help available and I just want to raise as much publicity as possible for other victims.
“One of the ways I’m doing that is by showing pictures of my injuries.”
Rachel, who has since remarried, said she “makes no apology” for releasing the graphic pictures.
“I released an image of my injury from a gun shot, where most of my shin was lost and only my knee cap was salvaged.
“I believe that speaking openly like this has, and will, help a lot of people.
“Victims need to know that they should not put up with abuse.
“I want them to know that there is light and a new life at the end of the tunnel.”
Since the attack, she has been involved in several campaigns and petitions tackling domestic violence and abusive relationships.
One of the campaigns she supports is a campaign called Drive, which aims to give men who pose a high risk to their partners one-on-one support to change past behaviour.
To support a petition, which calls on the prime minister to review licenses to perpetrators of domestic violence, see goo.gl/yfmVSN
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/woman-reveals-horrific-shotgun-injuries-12439244
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