A Police officer has urged victims of domestic abuse to heed the story of murder victim Shakeya DeRoza and seek help rather than suffer in silence.Pc Julia Swan, the Bermuda Police Service Domestic Violence Liaison Officer said: “We do take you seriously. That’s the thing we’ve got to get across to people. You can trust us to help you and we will support you.”Pc Swan said Bermuda Police take a pro-active response to the issue, working with other agencies and conducting follow-ups after reports of domestic abuse.She explained her 20 years’ experience as an officer in Bermuda and the UK has shown that it affects women “across the board” of all backgrounds and ages.Many have told her how hard it is to walk away.“They really don’t believe this person is capable of killing them,” she explained.Murder statistics tell a different story, as around 42 percent of women are killed at the hands of their partners or former partners, compared to eight percent of men.Pc Swan was speaking in general terms, rather than about the specifics of the Shakeya DeRoza case.However, the 23-year-old prison officer joined those sad statistics in June 2009 when her estranged boyfriend Jermaine Pearman stabbed her to death at her home.The killing followed a brutal history of abuse he inflicted on Ms DeRoza during their three-year relationship. Pearman was jailed for life yesterday.According to the evidence in the case, a neighbour once witnessed him punch her in the head while she was pregnant with his child. On another occasion he shook her until she lost consciousness.Pearman is said by his defence lawyer John Perry QC to have been upset that she was unfaithful to him in 2007, and had a child with another man.He suspected her of continued infidelity, and was depressed and desperate to keep his family together, according to Mr Perry. The pair sought counseling in a bid to address their issues.Asked why women like Ms DeRoza might stay with an abusive partner, Pc Swan said: “For a woman to leave a violent abuser, there are so many issues that come into that for them. There’s the self-confidence issue to start off with.“If you’re in an abusive relationship, they don’t start off being physically violent. It starts off with very minor put downs like ‘I don’t like you hanging out with these people or dressing in this way’ and it’s couched in ‘because I love you’.“It’s very difficult for the victim to walk away the first time it becomes physical. Here in Bermuda you’re looking at financial issues, housing, where can you go to be safe, family and church trying very hard to mediate and keep couples together.”She added: “They’re ashamed and believe it’s their own fault.”Ms DeRoza eventually told Pearman their relationship was over for good the month before he killed her. His response was to choke her, knock her to the ground and threaten to kill her, according to prosecutor Carrington Mahoney.Ms DeRoza made it clear to Pearman via text messages on the day of the murder that she wanted nothing more to do with him. It’s thought his murderous rage was sparked when he saw a male visitor arrive at her home.According to Pc Swan: “The most dangerous time for a woman is when they leave the relationship. That’s why it’s important they know what their options are and how they can protect themselves.“I can advise about criminal and civil proceedings, protection orders, safe houses and other agencies.”She urged people who want help to call her, saying: “It’s very very important that victims realise they are not alone and it’s nothing to be ashamed of….the message from me is you’re never alone.”Pc Swan can be contacted in confidence on her direct line, 299 4331.