An organisation that helps victims of domestic violence opened premises in Stanley yesterday. Gavin Havery reports.

Derwentside Domestic Violence Forum was formed by the Reverend Tim Atkins in 1997 to give advice to women.

Eight years later, its services are as much in demand as ever - and it is not only women being given support.

The organisation, which opened new premises at 94 Front Street, Stanley, yesterday, after securing a £105,000 Lottery grant, said abuse was not restricted to men assaulting women.

Forum project leader Maggie Thompson said one in three women in the UK suffered some form of domestic life during their lives. The figure for same sex partners is one in four and for men suffering abuse from women, one in six.

"It is about fear and about power and controlling another person or a family's life," she said

"In communities, like former pit villages, it was seen as a way of stopping the wife stepping out of line.

"Traditionally, you see domestic violence as men hitting women. But it is a lot more than that and covers all sorts of partner abuse, child abuse and elder abuse."

As well as Maggie, the forum employs two full-time support staff, a clerical worker and nine volunteer counsellors. Its patron is Erin Pizzey, who opened the world's first women's refuge, Chiswick Women's Aid.

Maggie said: "The victims are brainwashed and become totally dependent on the abuser. They think the violence is their fault. They get to the end of their tether and come to us for help.

"People would be amazed at the number of women who put up with this sort of treatment for years, but say they left when he raised a hand to their children.

"When you take a woman who has been in a situation for 20 years, they cannot think for themselves. There are people who have never handled money before and don't know how to pay bills or go shopping.

"We teach them the skills - we do not do it for them, because people have to help themselves and we help them get there.

"If we take over someone's life, then we are just replacing the perpetrator and they have got to be able to think for themselves."

Mr Atkins, of St John's Church, in Snods Edge, near Shotley Bridge, set up the forum by bringing together representatives from the police, NHS, Derwentside District Council and Durham County Council's social services department and local solicitors.

It became a registered charity and today offers training to agencies.

North Durham MP Kevan Jones, who opened the premises in Stanley yesterday, said its services were as vital as ever.

"Domestic violence comes in many forms and can affect anyone. It is essential that anyone who finds themselves victim to domestic abuse can get the help they need.

"That's why the work of Derwentside Domestic Violence Forum is so important."

The forum can be contacted on (01207) 232888.