Knightley beaten up in domestic abuse advert

Keira Knightley is beaten up by an abusive boyfriend in a hard-hitting advert launched today to raise awareness of domestic violence in the UK.

The two-minute film sees the 'Atonement' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star return home after a day’s filming to be confronted and attacked by her violent partner, who slaps her to the ground before raining kicks on her.

The film ends with the message: “Isn’t it time someone called ’Cut!’?”

Knightley’s director on 'Atonement', Joe Wright, made the advert for the charity Women’s Aid, which campaigns against violence against women and children in the home.

The 25-year-old actress said: “I wanted to take part in this advert for Women’s Aid because while domestic violence exists in every section of society, we rarely hear about it.

“We may not think we know someone who has experienced domestic violence, but this does not mean that it is not happening.

“Without the services provided by Women’s Aid, many more women could be at risk of being killed, yet without donations the charity may not exist this time next year.”

According to Women’s Aid, two women a week are killed by a current or former partner.

Nicola Harwin, the charity’s chief executive, said: “We hope the Women’s Aid campaign will both increase public awareness of domestic violence, letting abused women and their families and friends know that there is help out there, and also raise vital funds for Women’s Aid, to help us to continue in our work.