Jerry: I lived in fear of my father

Model Jerry Hall spent her childhood 'living in fear' of her father, she said yesterday, as she launched a free helpline for victims of child abuse.

Mick Jagger's ex-wife said her father had been violent and prone to rages caused by wartime trauma.

Hall, 49, who is originally from Texas, added: 'My father was a war hero and he had a lot of rages. I do know the trauma of living in fear. He has passed away but I forgive him.'

She was speaking at the launch of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood ( NAPAC) helpline in Central London.

Hall said abuse as a child can traumatise the victim for life, adding: 'NAPAC will make a great difference to the people-whose trust was betrayed at such a young age. In most cases it's not until a person becomes an adult they feel able to talk about the problem.'

The new phone line, manned by dozens of trained volunteers, will offer support and advice to adults who experienced abuse or neglect as children.

The charity's chief executive, Peter Saunders, who set up the organisation after tackling his own history as a victim of abuse, said: 'What we are about is supporting people who have gone through pain and not been able to talk about it for many, many years.'

The NAPAC support line number is 0800 0853330.