A PROJECT aiming to help domestic violence victims is to be launched on Wednesday, after a survey showed thousands of women and children across Teesside were affected.

The Stockton Doves project, led by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), is based at the Corner House, in Dovecote Street. It aims to raises awareness of the long-term traumatic effects of domestic violence, and to provide services to help victims.

It was launched after a survey asked professionals across Teesside to identify the number of people they knew who were experiencing domestic violence.

This revealed that all those questioned knew a total of 2,750 women and 2,020 children who were domestic violence victims.

An NSPCC spokesperson said: "Given that incidents of serious assault and abuse will occur approximately 35 times before being reported to police, these statistics reveal a very serious situation."

The project is being launched from a market stall in the town, when Doves members will give out leaflets and information.

Shoppers will be asked to fill out a questionnaire for a survey on domestic violence.

Stockton Doves has already carried out research focusing on the impact of violence in the home on children.

The NSPCC's Trish Bridgewater said: "The research was very moving. One child said: 'I never knew what it was like not to be worried.' Many of the young people I spoke to didn't know who to talk to or how to get help."

Doves manager Mal Watson Dotchin said: "Domestic violence can have a devastating effect on families. From the NSPCC's point of view, we are aware that children and young people can be badly damaged by their experience in homes where it occurs.

"This project aims to reduce the impact on victims, including children."