“DO not suffer in silence.”

That is the message from Dorset domestic violence agencies after the nation has been left gripped by a hard-hitting plot on BBC Radio 4 show The Archers.

In a dramatic climax to the soap's storyline, Helen Titchener stabbed her abusive husband Rob in front of her young son after he found out she was leaving him due to his controlling behaviour which included dictating what she could wear, keeping tabs on where she was at all times and marital rape.

Graeme Willis, area manager for Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA) which runs women’s refuges and domestic abuse services across the region, praised the show for raising awareness.

He said: “The Archers storyline has developed over months to highlight the control and coercion that victims of domestic abuse suffer.

“Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. It is often swept under the carpet and people live in silence but the earlier people can get help, the better. Support is out there. Nobody should have to live in fear.”

Nigel Pascoe QC, who lives in the New Forest, and practises across the south coast, tweeted following Sunday’s episode: "I know we are not allowed to tout, but I am more than prepared to represent Helen, along with most of the criminal bar."

He told the Daily Echo: “It’s a tremendously good story line. It has got to all of us. It’s raised awareness of controlling behaviour and an awful lot of money so it must be praised.”

So far, more than £90,000 has been donated to The Helen Titchener Rescue Fund – a JustGiving page set up to raise money for the charity Refuge which states “because for every fictional Helen, there are real ones.”

Refuge chief executive Sandra Horley, CBE said the charity which runs the National Domestic Violence Helpline with Women’s Aid experienced 17 per cent more calls than this time last year fuelled in part by the story line.

She added: "Helen’s situation mirrors what so many abused women feel and experience every day. It is important to remember that research shows an abused woman is at most risk at the point of separation. This storyline simply reflects the reality for many women today and I congratulate the script writers for highlighting a much ignored issue.”

Detective Inspector Joe Williams of Dorset Police said new coercive controlling behaviour legislation was introduced in December 2015, which criminalises extreme psychological and emotional abuse which falls short of physical violence.

He said: “I would urge anyone suffering from any form of domestic abuse to come forward and report it so that action can be taken to keep them safe.”

If you have suffered from domestic abuse, any of these contacts can help you.

Bournemouth Women’s Refuge: 01202 547755 (24 hour helpline)

Poole Women’s Refuge: 01202 748488

Bournemouth Domestic Violence Outreach Project: 01202 209456

Poole Domestic Violence Outreach Project: 01202 710777

Citizen Advice Bureau: 01202 290967

Rape Crisis: 01202 547755

Relate (Bournemouth & Poole): 01202 311231

Victim Support: 0845 38 99 528

National Domestic Violence Helpline run by Refuge and Women's Aid 0808 2000 247