3 days ago
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A YOUNG mother has lost her legs after being dragged under a vehicle allegedly driven by her deranged ex-partner for a kilometre.
The terrifying moment was caught on video as witnesses attempted to stop the Volkswagen Golf, which violently yanked Tainara Souza Santos down a main road.
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The video – which is too distressing to publish – shows the 31-year-old being hit and dragged beneath the car down a Sao Paulo street in Brazil on November 29.
The attack came just moments after she had left Bar do Tubarao in Parque Novo Mundo – in the north of Sao Paulo – where she had been with a friend.
Police allege the car was driven by Santos’ ex-boyfriend Douglas Alves da Silva, 26.
The pair are understood to have been arguing after Alves da Silva saw Santos with another man.
Witnesses said he then allegedly got behind the wheel of a black VW Golf and rammed the car into her.
Santos was trapped beneath the vehicle, before being dragged along Avenida Morvan Dias de Figueiredo towards Rua Manguari.
According to cops, a bar worker saw Alves da Silva accelerate into her, before pulling the handbrake to increase the pressure and friction of the vehicle on her body.
Witnesses attempted to stop the car, but the driver sped away.
Santos was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition, where she underwent surgery.
Sadly, her legs sustained such severe damage that they had to be amputated.
The mum-of-two is still recovering in hospital
Her mother has since told Brazilian TV that the relationship between Santos and Alves da Silva had not been serious.
A probe has been launched into the horrifying ordeal, with Civil Police investigating the case as an attempted femicide with extreme cruelty.
Femicide is the killing of a woman because of her gender, and carries higher penalties in law.
Cops located Alves da Silva on November 30, at a hotel in Vila Prudente.
Investigators allege he resisted arrest and advanced on an agent, resulting in other officers intervening.
The suspect was shot in the arm and later treated at hospital, before being taken into police custody.
He remains on remand as the investigation continues.
Domestic abuse - how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone - including men - and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
- Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
- Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
- Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
- Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
- The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night
- Men who are being abused can call Respect Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or ManKind on 0182 3334 244
- Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring Galop on 0800 999 5428
- If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
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