THE first refuge for male victims of domestic violence in Britain is to be set up in the region.

The purpose-built unit will be run by the charity It Does Happen, based in County Durham, and will offer men and their children a secure place to escape from abuse.

The facility will offer home comforts on a par with a travel hotel and 24-hour counselling and support services.

The charity is run by Mike, a County Durham man who was himself a victim of abuse.

He said: "One of the things you lose through domestic violence - that can never be fully replaced - is self-esteem. Having this environment will provide a platform for the restructuring of some of that self respect."

It follows the success of the charity's web site and 24-hour support network set up at the beginning of this month, which has already received 12,000 hits.

The North-East refuge will open in December, in time to help men and their children before Christmas. Another six centres are planned to open next year.

The announcement was made at the Step Into The Future event, a major conference on domestic violence held in the Derwent Manor Hotel, Allensford, near Consett, last week. It looked at all aspects of domestic violence, from attacks on women to much less well-publicised abuse, such as same-sex violence in gay or lesbian relationships, the abuse of older people and domestic violence carried out by women on men.

About 150 delegates attended the pioneering event, which was organised by the Derwentside Domestic Violence Forum.

Guest of honour was Erin Pizzey, the founder of the first women's refuge, who led a campaign in the 1970s to highlight domestic violence.

She said: "It is the first inclusive conference to accept that domestic violence can happen to anyone."

Praising the work of the forum and Derwentside District Council, she added: "It is unusual to find the forum and other agencies, such as the council, all singing from the same hymn sheet .

"They are utterly dedicated to eradicating domestic violence in this area and I have great faith that they will do it."

For further information on It Does Happen, contact 07800 647379 or visit the website, www.itdoeshappen.org