One in three women who are abused in their homes never tell anyone what is happening to them, Women's Aid has said.

The charity, which has been working in the area of domestic abuse for over three decades, has launched a new campaign urging women to call its national helpline if they are being abused in their home.

One in five women in Ireland is a victim of domestic abuse and this can take many forms - verbal, physical, sexual, emotional and financial.

Last year, the Women's Aid national helpline answered almost 11,800 calls from women who had among other things, been belittled, harassed, stalked, slapped, punched, kicked and strangled.

The ‘Don't Be Afraid' campaign, which runs until the first week of October, includes online, poster and radio advertisements. According to the charity, many women worry that they will not be believed or that they will be blamed for the abuse.

"Others struggle to find the words to describe their situation. All too often, women feel alone and isolated, unaware that help is available, or unable to make sense of what is being done to them," it noted.

It added that for many women, options, such as leaving the home, have been curtailed because of ‘sustained financial abuse', including having their employment jeopardised and being denied any household monies.

The radio ad for this campaign will play on stations nationwide for the next four weeks, posters will be displayed in washrooms and entertainment venues and the ‘Don't Be Afraid' message will feature in the charity's Facebook and Google ads.

The national helpline is available every day from 10am to 10pm at 1800 341 900. For more information on Women's Aid, click here