A DOMESTIC abuse victim who suffered in silence for six years has welcomed new reforms to criminalise mental torment.

Men who bully their partners by verbally abusing them, taking control of their finances or isolating them from family and friends could now face prosecution, Home Secretary Theresa May will announce today.

In a dramatic shake-up, the definition of domestic abuse is to be widened to encompass a wide range of coercive or threatening behaviour and, for the first time, applied to under-18s.

Mum-of-three Diane Greene, 54, who lives near Christchurch, welcomed the changes.

She told the Daily Echo: “It’s about time they took domestic abuse seriously. In years gone by it was swept under the carpet and victims wouldn’t call police because they knew they would do nothing to help them.

“Something has to be done to protect abused women; mental abuse is just as bad as physical abuse.

“I suffered both for six years. My partner had me under his spell; the abuse he inflicted was absolutely horrific and even when we split up I was always looking over my shoulder.

“I was terrified to go into Christchurch or Boscombe because he still petrified me.

“It’s only now, that he is dead, I am finally free to speak out and breathe again.

“My son witnessed the abuse but luckily he has turned out to be a decent young lad.”

Sadly the reforms will come too late for aspiring model Emily Longley who was strangled by her boyfriend Elliot Turner at his home in Queen’s Park, Bournemouth in May 2011.

Emily was 17 when she died, during a jealous rage, after Turner, 21, discovered she had been texting other boys.

Jurors at Winchester Crown Court heard how Turner had threatened to kill Emily and been physically violent towards her before the fatal attack.

Turner was found guilty of killing Emily and handed a life sentence. His parents, Leigh and Anita, were also jailed for trying to cover up his crime.

A spokesperson for Bournemouth Churches Housing Association, which provides support and refuge for domestic abuse victims, said: “We are pleased to see that this new definition recognises the wide range of controlling methods people use towards their partners in abusive relationships.

“We are also pleased to hear that laws will now also be applied to under-18s.

“The number of young people we are working with is increasing.”