Jenni Manners, from Swindon's Women's Refuge, talks to one of her clients about abuseFEATURE: 2,165 cases of domestic violence were reported in Swindon last year and Christmas is a time when incidents peak. TINA CLARKE found police are making it easier to leave abuse behind.

DOMESTIC violence is about the worst possible breach of trust a person can commit. To be abused by someone you think loves you is a huge betrayal, but more often than not the victim shoulders the blame.

Controlling partners isolate, terrorise, subdue and strip their prey of self-esteem.

And if they dare to make a bid for freedom they are often threatened with the loss of their children.

As a result victims are often reluctant to involve the police, or any outside agencies. But in Swindon, agencies are leading the way in making it easier for people to escape abusive relationships and bring offenders to justice.

Wiltshire Police has revolutionised the way it approaches such cases. In Swindon last year there were 2,165 reported cases of domestic violence half of the county's total.

Now, along with the Crown Prosecution Service and other members of the Wiltshire Local Criminal Justice Board, it is introducing a new protocol, which is aimed at ensuring effective prosecutions.

Announced during a season when statistics traditionally show a surge in domestic violence, it means that one standard procedure will be followed, right from the moment police start investigating through to the end of the court case.

Guy Knell, Wiltshire's temporary Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: "We are determined to show that domestic violence is unacceptable and that it will be prosecuted robustly and effectively."

For a woman going through the process of bringing her abusive partner to justice it means continuity and support all the way.

Taking that first step and making a statement is something many victims not all of them women will do anything to avoid.

Quite often neighbours or friends call the police. And it is the police who take the decision whether to arrest the perpetrator.

It is a vast change from years ago when these incidents were often logged as 'no police action required'.

Domestic violence liaison officer Det Con Tim Gardner, based at Swindon, has seen the changes.

"When I first joined 15 years ago we didn't appreciate the impact on the families. But over the last eight or nine years that has changed."

It is a view confirmed by Jenni Manners, manager of Swindon Women's Refuge.

"Wiltshire Police have done a tremendous amount for victims of domestic violence. They have changed completely, the way domestic violence is dealt with and they have influenced other agencies to do the same.

"It is through police initiative and funding that the Wiltshire and Swindon Domestic Violence Interven-tion Partnership exists.

The move reflected changing attitudes in society.

"It is rather like drink driving," said Ms Manners. "Years ago nobody batted an eyelid. Gradually it changed and now it is socially unacceptable. The bonus of the police taking it to court is the education of society."

Cases like the Glyn Razzell murder trial helped to raise the profile of the problem locally, she said.

"People still believe that a man can be a good father if he is not physically abusive to the children but is violent to their mother. Many of us would say that is totally wrong."

DC Gardner has seen the effect of prolonged exposure to such behaviour. Children can suffer low self-esteem. In some cases they can copy what they see at home.

One mother told him her six-year-old son had started calling her a lazy slag.

In another case police went to a house in Swindon where a couple were having a row.

They were convinced their children were still tucked up in bed fast asleep. But one of the officers found them hiding in a wardrobe, frightened and crying.

While many women's natural instinct would be to leave a violent partner for the sake of their children, the practical considerations can make it impossible.

Even educated professional women can believe the myth that social services will take away their children.

Partners will keep them short of cash, sometimes they are locked in the house and in many cases the threat of violence is likely to follow them.

"The most dangerous point for a woman is at the point of trying to leave," explained Ms Manners.

One woman told her that she couldn't leave because her husband had said he would 'do what Razzell did and no one will ever know where you are'.

usually women are trapped by their state of mind one that has been cultivated by their abuser.

"If the violence comes after a substantial period of emotional belittling, then blame is added. Women do actually believe it is their fault.

"If he is sorry afterwards and says he will never let it happen again, they hope he will stand by his promise," said Ms Manners.

But the truth is that without intervention, it is unlikely.

She pointed to constabulary figures for 2002/03 showing there were 2,165 domestic incidents between partners or ex-partners in Swindon nearly 50 per cent of the county total.

The British Crime Survey suggested that only 20 per cent of incidents were reported, which meant that the real total for the town could be well over 10,000.

DC Gardner said: "A lot of women say the psychological abuse, the game playing, financial constriction and control is far more damaging and difficult for them to deal with than physical assault."

"When they reach a stage where they know it is coming some have said they will provoke it to get it over and done with rather than have to walk on eggshells for any longer.

"Domestic violence is about power and control. The technique women develop to manage it is one where they at least have the illusion that they are the ones in control. They don't always realise that they can't control and manage it all the time."

What happens if you're a victim or report a crime

Police have a set procedure for dealing with incidents of domestic violence. When officers arrive their first aim will be to remove the violent partner from the immediate situation and make the victim safe.

It is not her decision whether the attacker is arrested or not, because if there is other evidence of an assault, they will act upon it.

They will then talk to the victim, find out her wishes and discuss the benefits of going for prosecution.

A domestic violence liaison officer will take her statement and guide her through the procedure.

If she ever needs support or advice, she can contact them. They will also make sure her safety is monitored.

Once the case gets to court, they can ensure she is given a chance to visit the courtroom and be taken through the often nerve-wracking procedure.

During the proceedings she also has the benefit of services like witness support.

There are also plans to change the rules so that domestic violence victims can give evidence using screens or via video link.

Even if a prosecution doesn't happen, police and other agencies can monitor the situation using special measures.

The Domestic Violence Intervention Partnership is also on hand to provide advice and support.

It means that if a 999 call is received in the future, the officers who arrive on the doorstep know what they are likely to be facing.

And in extreme cases alarms can be issued.

The Domestic Violence Intervention Partnership can be contacted on 01225 709493.

A 24-hour national helpline has been launched to help victims of domestic violence.

The service, backed by grants from the government and Comic Relief, will be run by Women's Aid and Refuge.

As well as providing access to 24-hour emergency accommodation, it will offer safety planning and information to women suffering abuse.

Sandra Horley, chiefe executive of Refuge said: "Every day we see the black eyes and broken bones of many women. We know the despair, the fear and the terror that women and children face in their lives."

The Freephone number is: 0808 2000 247 and calls from landlines will not appear on telephone bills.