IT ONLY takes one phone call to report domestic abuse and potentially save someone’s life.

For Andraya Lyons, who was killed by her partner in Rodbourne last December, that vital phone call could have been the last thing to give her a fighting chance of survival.

This week, her family are backing a new campaign to coincide with national Domestic Violence Awareness Week.

The Everyone’s Business campaign is a joint venture between the Swindon Community Safety Partnership, Swindon Borough Council, Swindon Women’s Aid, Wiltshire Police, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, NHS Swindon, Wiltshire Probation among many others.

It aims to raise awareness of domestic violence and encourage anonymous reporting to the police. Andraya’s brother Simon Webb said: “This time last year my family and I didn’t know what this campaign was.

“Our worlds have been turned upside down and we have had a void in our lives and an ache in our hearts.

“We can’t stop domestic violence but we can raise awareness to stop another death.”

He added: “Just one call that evening could have made all the difference and potentially saved our sister’s life. Domestic violence is a disease in society and it needs to be eradicated.

“By promoting awareness we hope we can give people the strength to seek help to get out of an abusive relationship.

“As difficult as it is going to be for us, we want to make a difference and if only one life is changed or saved then something positive has come out of this situation. Although we are starting off locally, we want it to become a national thing because domestic violence isn’t just a Swindon issue.

“If you phone the police to report a disturbance, you don’t have to give your name and it can be anonymous. You can tell them about the disturbance and it will be followed up. If someone had done that on the night in December that could have saved our sister.”

On Tuesday, representatives, along with Andraya’s family, gathered at the council’s Civic Offices to tie a white ribbon to mark the start of the campaign as well as International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which takes place on Saturday.

Swindon Women’s Aid director Olwen Kelly added: “Andraya’s family are backing what we hope to achieve and the fact they have been so brave and so vocal about the devastating impact of her death has been a catalyst for this campaign.

“Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to do it.

“You see people arguing in supermarkets or day to day all the time and a lot of that is part of everyday life. But what this campaign is trying to raise awareness of is about power, control, violence and the relentless wearing down on an individual so they feel completely powerless to live their life.

“We are telling people don’t leave it until it’s too late. It is too late for Andraya but it can help someone else.”

Police and crime commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson wants more people to understand the shocking statistics behind domestic abuse, which so often has fatal consequences.

“We know it is under-reported and victims go for months or even years before they find the courage to pick up the phone or share with a friend or service,” he said.

“It is shocking that seven women a month are killed by a partner or former partner which is why it is a matter for us all.

“We need to be brave enough to ask the questions and take action to report our concerns.”

Arlene Griffin, housing needs manager at Swindon Borough Council, added: “We are quite a reserved society and we do not want to be seen as busy bodies but actually we need to move on and we need to be much more proactive because by being busy bodies, it won’t help a victim of domestic violence.”

If you have concerns about anyone who may be a victim of domestic abuse, call police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Anonymous calls can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.