£750,000 funding bid to help combat domestic violence

A consortium between Darlington Domestic Violence Forum and the county's women's refuges is hoping to secure the extra money from the Northern Rock Foundation.

If successful, the money will be spent on a new service aimed at perpetrators.

It will also pay for intervention workers to help victims at refuges.

In Darlington, there are more than 150 domestic violence attacks each month, more than a third of which are repeat offences.

It is estimated that the problem costs each household in the town £90 a year in police and social services' time, prosecution charges and health care.

Forum co-ordinator Joy Easterby said: "When people say domestic violence is a private issue they are wrong. It is a social issue.

"Domestic violence affects every one of us.

"It is damaging in the community, it is damaging to women and children, and it is damaging to men because they will end up in prison."

She said the service for perpetrators was aimed at tackling the problem before the need for crisis intervention.

"We are hoping to address domestic violence in terms of prevention, as is suggested in the Government's Safety and Justice consultation paper," she said.

"We are also looking at how we can address young people and their belief systems.

"A lot of young men think that it is okay to hit a partner. Another frightening statistic is that two in five young women expect that they will be hit in their lifetime."

The consortium will discover whether it is being considered for the funding next month.

"We are hopeful in view of the fact that we have a lot going for us in Darlington at the moment," said Mrs Easterby. "We also think our bid is quite different to anyone else's."

Next month the forum is running two 12-week Freedom courses in Darlington, offering advice to women who have suffered domestic abuse, and their friends and relatives.

For details telephone Sheila Matthews on (01325) 487718, or Liz Robinson on (01325) 488176.