Spice Girl Melanie Brown stars in “Love Should Not Hurt” a shockingly powerful video that tells of the trauma experienced by a woman living the horror of domestic abuse.

Scenes from ‘Love Should Not Hurt (A Flat Minor): Melanie Brown

Women’s Aid Patron Melanie Brown takes the lead in ‘Love Should Not Hurt (A Flat Minor), a video for the song in British composer Fabio D’Andrea’s new album 24.

In the video, Brown performs a deeply moving choreographed piece that silently shows the suffering experienced by a woman whose seemingly perfect relationship is in fact a living nightmare of violence, control and fear.

Inspired by the impact of lockdown on women living with abusive partner, the increase in homicides during the first weeks of the pandemic, and the real life stories of the many women she has come into contact with since writing about her own ten-year abusive marriage – in the Sunday Times best-selling book, Brutally Honest – Brown was determined to highlight this issue to mark her continued commitment to Women’s Aid.

In keeping with the sense of isolation and fear of speaking out that is present in so many abusive relationships, no words are spoken in the video which is told solely through the medium of dance and music.

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In addition to being an acclaimed musician, Fabio directs this compelling piece. The neo-classical pianist’s “24” album – the first ever classical video album consists of 24 original piano pieces by Fabio (one in every key), each accompanied by a video starring an actor or celebrity.

Brown’s routine was choreographed by Fabio’s collaborator, the renowned Ashley Wallen who has worked with Kylie Minogue and Mariah Carey. Wallen also choreographed The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman.

Brown’s gruelling story of coercive control was previously highlighted in her memoir Brutally Honest. Despite being at the height of her fame with prime time shows from X Factor in the UK and America’s Got Talent in the US, she was experiencing severe trauma within her marriage. Brown attempted suicide and continued to suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome even in the years after her split from her former husband in 2017. Since the publication of her book, Brown has become a vociferous campaigner for Women’s Aid and was invited to No 10 Downing Street to launch a report for the charity on economic abuse, with advisors for then Prime Minister Theresa May MP.

Last month, the World Health Organization reported that an estimated 641 million women had faced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner over the course of their lifetime. Another 95 million were subjected to sexual violence from a non-partner, meaning that one in three women face such treatment at least once in their lives. Over the past year, women around the world have had to stay at home with their potential abusers, with many feeling unable to seek help during lockdown.

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Domestic abuse exists in every section of society and on average, one woman is killed every four days in the UK by a current or previous partner. Without the services provided by Women’s Aid, many more women could be at risk.

On her involvement with the video, Melanie said: “I’m so incredibly proud to be part of this project which means so much to me because this is a collaboration of three things that are so important in my life. Music, dance and a way to highlight the ever increasing issue of violence towards women.

“It seems strange to say I am proud of showing something so brutal and disturbing but it is my mission to raise awareness of something so many women go through every day, every week, every month of their lives.

“I have had my own experiences of abusive relationships but as Patron of Women’s Aid I have spoken to so many other women, listened to what they have gone through and I know how very real the danger is to so many women out there and I’m not going to stop breaking the silence and then shame around this subject because it’s too much and we have to stand up and do something. This performance represents the stories and the experiences of those women I have met, spoken to or heard about.

My heart breaks for every single woman and child who suffers from some form of domestic abuse. I want this to count for all victims of abuse. I want to help raise awareness, raise money and do anything I can to put a stop to this epidemic.”