THE writing is on the wall -- literally -- in St Helens, for male violence against women and children.

A six-foot high banner across St Helens Town Hall emphasise the support in the town for the Zero Tolerance campaign.

The 'No more excuses' banner with its message''sexual abuse, rape, violence towards women and children -- male abuse of power is a crime', is the latest phase of the Merseyside Zero Tolerance campaign to tackle the issue of male violence towards women and children. Funded by Merseyside Health Action Zone and the Safer Merseyside Partnership, the initiative looks specifically at domestic violence, rape, sexual assault and child sexual abuse.

"The phrase 'no more excuses' aims to challenge many of the excuses that are made for male violence", said Tine Hall, co-ordinator for the Merseyside Zero Tolerance initiative.

"By displaying the banner across St Helens Town Hall, St Helens is showing its commitment towards ending male violence against women and children.

"The Zero Tolerance initiative aims to challenge attitudes and behaviour around violence to women and children, recognising that this violence is widespread in society. The banner will eventually move on to other locations across Merseyside to emphasise the message that male violence cannot be tolerated".

Marie Armitage, Merseyside Health Action Zone co-ordinator, added: "Between January and December 2000 there were 17,699 incidents of domestic violence reported on Merseyside and domestic violence accounts nationally for a quarter of all violent crime.

"This illustrates the scale of the problem and we know that many incidents go unreported. Everyone on Merseyside needs to recognise that violence against women and children is unacceptable and to take responsibility for stamping it out".

The Zero Tolerance Helpline number is 0800 028339 or Minicom 0800 3397.