WASHINGTON: American actress Halle Berry has pleaded with her fans to donate money to a number of struggling shelters for battered women.

Berry, 43, who has experienced domestic violence first hand as a child, has been volunteering at Jenesse Center’s six shelters in secret for a number of years. And now, going public about her work with the organisation, in a bid to help the impoverished group survive the recession, she spoke about the abuse her mother experienced at the hands of her violent father.

“I saw my mother battered and could not do anything to stop it,” Contactmusic quoted her as telling the Sunday Times newspaper. "My father was tyrannical, lashing out at her for no reason. I felt the effects that had on our family,” she added.