Domestic abuse typically involves a pattern of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and intimidation, which escalates in frequency and severity over time.

It can be defined as the misuse of power and the exercise of control by one partner over the other in an intimate relationship.

It is a very difficult issue to address. What makes it so is that victims' lives are intertwined with those of their attackers and there are frequently no adult witnesses to these crimes.

Many crimes are committed in the victim's home, in front of children, by a partner. In addition there is often pressure put on the victim not to seek help.

In Wiltshire last year police attended 5,500 domestic violence incidents, 4943 of which were partner/ related.

In Swindon alone, 2,816 were dealt with and of those incidents 2,563 were partner/ex-partner abuse. And 54 per cent of them were repeat attacks.

However as research suggests, 80 per cent of such incidents are not reported, the true level could be as high as 30,000 a year.

In 90 per cent of the reports last year, a child was in the house, in 68 per cent of cases a child was in the room and witnessed the abuse and in 33 per cent of cases a child intervened to protect the victim.

Police specialists are only a phone call away

The Wiltshire domestic violence units opened in 1998 and it was apparent domestic abuse is much more prevalent than previously thought. They work closely with other local agencies and organisations and can either help directly or by referring to other sources of assistance.

The units help victims to change their lives when the time is right for them. It is possible to make the change and they are helped wherever possible, by outlining the options available and increasing personal safety and security where it is required.

The units have police alarms, mobile phones and audible panic alarms to loan. They also communicate with other police officers and often assist during police investigations and support victims.

Many victims are unable to get to the phone, so the unit urges members of the public to call the police if an incident is occurring.

WPC Trish Morse is the dedicated Domestic Violence Unit Officers for the Trowbridge area and can be contacted on (01225) 763101 .

At Swindon, Sgt Bob Wood-hams, WPC Liz Puluch and PC Tim Gardner are the domestic violence officers, on (01793) 528111 or at the Central police station.

If you contact Salisbury Station on (01722) 411444 X448, you can speak to a specialised officer.