TWO local organisations dedicated to stamping out violence towards women in the home have given their support to the national campaign, Families Without Fear, due to be launched this month.

St Helens District Women's Aid and the local branch of Unison are joining forces to run a week of activities to highlight the effects of domestic violence and mark International Day Against Violence Against Women.

Based in Reflection Court, Canal Street, St Helens District Women's Aid offers support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. They are a self-help group and the director, Eileen Taylor takes a personal pride in helping women to gain independence and face the world again.

She told the Star: "Most of the women who come to us have always been so dependent on their husbands that they believe they can't cope without them. That is just one of the many reasons why battered wives stay with violent husbands.

"According to Government statistics, one in three women in the UK have experienced a form of domestic violence at some stage in their life and 75 per cent of mums said their children had witnessed a domestic attack. These are the sort of things we want to prevent."

The group consists of trained staff, counsellors and volunteers and offers women safe accommodation in local drop-in centres, counselling, help with court proceedings, outreach work in homes and help with training and job advice.

They are also the only North West group to run a self-help group for the perpetrators of domestic violence and Eileen added: "This is completely voluntary and class members have to admit they have a problem before starting the classes. There are currently 10 members, and some come from as far away as Blackpool and Manchester."

Gillian Yates, an equalities officer for the local branch of Unison, added: "Unison got involved through the Zero Tolerance campaign because we realised that if women are experiencing domestic abuse, it is going to affect their health and self-confidence in the workplace. Every employee is entitled to an effective, confidential and sympathetic response and Unison advise employers to watch out for women displaying physical or emotional symptoms of abuse. Anyone who would like advice can contact their local Unison representative."

To find out more about the week of activities or St Helens District Women's Aid, contact the 24-hour helpline on 01925 220541, or the drop-in centre on 454438 or Unison on 0161 832 5625.

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