Domestic violence victims offered advice in hospitals

Offers of support and advice for patients affected by the crime are to now be beamed to hospital bedside screens and televisions inside casualty departments, following the launch of a new police initiative today.

The messages will be displayed at regular intervals and will include details of useful telephone numbers such as the Womens Aid national helpline or the address of the specially-created website for people suffering physical, sexual or emotional abuse in County Durham and Darlington, www.dvrealityrevealed.org.

The website, which has also just been launched, includes contact numbers and agencies relevant to each region and guidance on matters including legal advice, child contact and temporary housing.

It is hoped by making information on domestic violence available in hospitals it will be seen by victims who may have sought medical attention without reporting any incident to the police. Between April 2001 and March 2002 there were a total of 7,551 domestic incidents reported to Durham police.

The hospital facility was launched yesterday at the University Hospital of North Durham, Darlington Memorial Hospital, Bishop Auckland General Hospital and the University Hospital, Hartlepool, formerly Hartlepool General.

Inspector Neil Malkin, a member of the multi-agency team behind the hospital campaign and website, said they were trying to reach a wide an audience as possible.

He said: "The police approach to domestic violence has changed dramatically over the last ten years and we hope women now have greater confidence in being able to come forward and report incidents.

"Even so, many still choose not to contact the police and instead go straight to hospital after being assaulted or abused. By using this new facility we hope we can reach out to them and offer help. The viewscreen messages are also aimed at members of staff and visitors who might have been victims."

To contact the Womens Aid helpline ring 08457 888 222.