Cutting domestic violence

Darlington Borough Council has joined forces with Darlington's Primary Care Trust to create a policy detailing solutions.

Pupils from each of the borough's comprehensive schools will translate the policy for children, so the youngest victims of domestic violence will understand the issues.

The borough's primary schools will be asked to educate pupils about domestic violence and the help available to victims.

Bill Dixon, the council's cabinet member for community and public protection, said: "Children are often the forgotten victims of domestic violence, but what they see or hear at home can have a terrible effect on them.

"Of course, many children are also directly caught up in the abuse and may be too scared to ask for help.

"The work that is happening in schools will help children affected by domestic violence and stop similar patterns repeating in the future. We can make Darlington a safer place for everyone."

Highlighting domestic violence is just one of the ways the problem is being tackled in Darlington.

A course for the perpetrators of domestic violence is already running.

The Perpetrator Programme, organised by Darlington Domestic Violence Forum, aims to challenge the attitudes, beliefs and values of the people who carry out domestic violence.

The course confronts people with the consequences of their actions and looks at alternative ways to resolve conflicts in relationships.

The forum is also providing training for people who may come into contact with domestic violence victims through their work such as school nurses, community midwives, housing support workers and the police

There are about 140 reported incidents of domestic violence every month in Darlington, of which 36 per cent are repeat offences.

The forum is reminding victims that it runs an advice circle at the SureStart Centre, in McNay Street, which is open to anyone who wants to talk about domestic violence.