PROBATION chiefs are launching an initiative to tackle domestic abuse across North Yorkshire.

The Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme is a group activity for convicted offenders, approved by the Home Office, which focuses on concepts like control and misuse of power.

While undertaking it, offenders are expected to talk openly about their behaviour and listen to other offenders' experiences.

As well as educating offenders, the course has already been proven to help violent men recognise the impact of their abuse, take responsibility for their actions and eventually stop their violent behaviour.

The programme is based on co-ordinated effort by a number of agencies, including the police, and requires co-operation between all the criminal justice agencies.

It also has a number of links to the voluntary sector, various women's groups and charities such as Victim Support.

Senior probation officer Jonathan Martin said: "The programme puts victim safety firmly at the top of the agenda, and is based on a co-ordinated effort by ourselves and other agencies to provide a demanding sentence that will tackle domestic violence.

"The course addresses both physical and psychological abuse which can include isolation from friends and family, sexual abuse, public humiliation or actual physical violence."

Domestic violence costs the lives of two women every week and accounts for almost a quarter of all violent crime.

It is estimated that a one in four women have experienced domestic violence.

In 68 per cent of cases, children witness assaults on their mother and, when a man is violent to his partner, there is a 70 per cent chance that he will also be violent to their children.