9 August 2012 Last updated at 13:04 ET

Gravesend domestic violence victim Royce Ali 'may have died'

Royce Ali was attacked at his home in Gravesend after a row with his girlfriend of four years

A man who was stabbed by his girlfriend during a row about her diet pills at their home in Kent has said she could have killed him.

Royce Ali, 45, has spoken out to encourage other victims of domestic violence - both male and female - to seek help and not suffer in silence.

His partner, Andrea Madden, 29, was jailed for seven years after being found guilty of wounding with intent.

"No one should put up with domestic violence, man or woman," said Mr Ali.

The attack happened at Mr Ali's home in Denton, Gravesend on 29 January.

Stabbed repeatedly

The couple, who had been together for four years, rowed because Mr Ali had thrown away Madden's pills.

During the argument, Madden picked up a 4in (10cm) knife and stabbed Mr Ali repeatedly in his left arm and the right side of his chest, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

"She could have ended my life," he said.

"She didn't just jab me she was repeatedly stabbing me and it would have just taken one of those to go into my neck or something like that and I wouldn't be here today.

"That is the bit that is the most upsetting."

Paramedics took Mr Ali to King's College Hospital in south-east London, where he needed internal and external stitches.

Andrea Madden claimed she acted in self defence after Mr Ali attacked her

When police arrived Madden claimed he had attacked her first and she acted in self defence. However, the jury disagreed and she was jailed last week.

"[The police] could see everything I was saying was true," said Mr Ali

'Totally heartbreaking'

Mr Ali said the physical scars reminded him of the attack every day.

"I am still living in the same house and just reliving it," he said.

"The devastating thing is that you think someone loves you and you never think someone would do a thing like that. It was totally heartbreaking.

"The relief is that she is not going to be able to harm anyone else."

Det Con Mark Bennett, who investigates domestic violence cases, said police encouraged any victim of domestic abuse to come forward.

"Abuse comes in many forms," he said. "You have got physical abuse as in Mr Ali's case, but there is emotional and psychological abuse as well.

"We would encourage men as well as women to talk to us, but if you don't want to talk to the police please talk to a friend or family member and we can help you.

"The worst thing is to feel isolated."