SOCIAL services, the police and other agencies in the North-East are to be offered extra guidance to help victims of domestic abuse.

A book giving advice on domestic violence has been published as part of a Government-funded initiative.

Originally produced on Teesside by child protection committees, Tees Health Authority and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the guidance has now been adopted by their County Durham and Darlington counterparts.

The manual provides guidelines under which appropriate action can be taken to safeguard the welfare of adults and children who become the victims of domestic violence.

Durham Police domestic violence co-ordinator Rachel Green said: "On average, a woman can be assaulted by her partner or ex-partner up to 35 times before she feels able to report what is happening."

The manual can be downloaded from the website www.ddvf.org and www.dv-realityrevealed.org