"Does this look like love to any one of you?"

Trigger Warning: This post deals with issues of domestic violence and may be triggering for survivors of abuse.

The images we see of domestic violence in the media, look like the image on the left.

A subtly purple eye. A bruised cheekbone. A red, scratched arm. Perhaps a scared expression on the model’s face.

But the truth? The truth doesn’t look like that.

Domestic violence can look like nothing at all – invisible to everyone, because of the hidden, secretive nature of emotional abuse. But it can also look and physically feel far, far worse than the images the public are exposed to through awareness raising campaigns.

Angela Brower has decided to try to help people understand what domestic violence really looks like.

37-year-old Angela, has shared graphic images of her battered face online, to help raise awareness of what really goes on behind closed doors in some homes.

Angela says that she recently broke up with her boyfriend, after he became physically and emotionally abusive towards her. On May 13 — after the break up, when he came to collect some of his belongings from her — he physcially beat her to the ground.

And so she posted the pictures of her face on Facebook, with the text: “Does this look like LOVE TO ANYONE OF YOU?”

Brower told The Huffington Post, that “the orbital bone around my eye was completely shattered and my nose was broken on both sides and very displaced.”

She was hospitalised after the attack – but when she was released Angela wanted to make a statement. She wanted to make people take domestic violence seriously – and to realise the extent of the injuries it can cause.

“I want to raise awareness for women who are afraid and ashamed of what has been done to them,” she said. “They blame themselves. I want them to know that it is not their fault.”

Her ex-boyfriend has since been charged with aggravated assault.

The attack occurred on May 18, and on May 29 Angela had to undergo surgery to remove bone fragments from her face, and to insert a metal ring around her eye to stop it from collapsing.

Angela says that the bottom left side of her face is still completely numb, and doctors have told her that the nerve endings might be permanently damaged. She is currently using social media to try and raise money to cover the costs of her surgery.

If you believe you may be an abusive partner, you can receive help via Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277. If you have experienced, or are at risk of domestic violence or sexual assault, you can receive help by calling 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732. If you are in immediate danger please call the police on 000.

Do you think photos like these are an effective way to raise awareness about domestic violence? 

Here are some Australian and international campaigns aimed at tackling domestic violence. Which do you think is most effective?