Nigella Lawson, attacked by her husband in public

Editor's note: Charles Saatchi accepted a police caution for assault in July 2013, and the couple divorced that year. The piece below is archived as written in June 2013.

The pictures were published by the Mirror: celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, at a table outside her favorite seafood restaurant in London, with her husband Charles Saatchi's hand at her throat. The couple had been having a row that spun out of control. In the photographs, he appears to be twisting her neck; she is seen wiping away tears.

Lawson was reported to have left her home with her children after the photos surfaced. She had married the art collector in 2003.

Saatchi was known for his temper, and Nigella had said in the past that she goes quiet during a row because she doesn't like making a scene — even though she feels miserable afterwards.

An Australian radio presenter, Dee Dunleavy, then sparked outrage by criticizing Nigella for taking the abuse, calling for a boycott of her new book. "If you want us to buy your books and watch your shows on how to run our kitchens, then we need you to make a stand on domestic violence," she said. The backlash was immediate — blame belongs to the abuser, not the person being abused.

It shocks many people to see someone as successful and famous as Nigella Lawson in this position. But domestic violence does not check your bank balance or your fame. If you are in an abusive relationship: you do not need to suffer in silence, and it is not you who should be embarrassed. If you cannot stop it yourself, get help — from family, friends, a shelter, or a helpline. And remember: if you don't want to be treated badly, do not be afraid to speak up.