Just weeks since she was appointed, Darlington's new domestic violence co-ordinator is tackling the issue head on. She talks to Women's Editor Christen Pears.

RECENTLY, a Spanish judge caused controversy by telling a woman she didn't fit the profile of a domestic violence victim - she was too smartly dressed, too affluent. Joy Easterby was so enraged by the comments, she was prepared to fly out to Spain to put the judge right.

"You just can't say something like that. Domestic violence can happen to anyone and this is the kind of thing we need to get away from," she says.

Joy, who is Darlington Domestic Violence Forum's new co-ordinator, is passionate about her work. She took up her post at the beginning of January and already has ambitious plans for improving services and raising awareness. Enthusiastic and compassionate, her face lights up as she talks about future projects. "I really want to build on the work we've done already and improve services," she says.

The forum has been without a co-ordinator for almost ten months since funding for the post ran out, but is so well-established its work has continued, with everyone chipping in to help. Joy will be funded for two years by a number of agencies, including Darlington Borough Council, social services, the police, the Children's Fund, Sure Start and Darlington Primary Care Trust.

She says: "Obviously we have lost a little bit of momentum over the last few months. I'll be trying to restore that and put domestic violence back at the top of the town's list of priorities."

Over the Christmas period, reported incidents of domestic violence in Darlington were up 12 per cent on the previous year - shocking statistics on the face of it but, says Joy, actually an indication of success.

"All the campaigning we've done in Darlington to raise public awareness and agency awareness has paid off. Women feel more confident, they're ready to report incidents of domestic violence and they know that when they do, they're going to be treated appropriately and be able to access the services they need."

Since it was set up in 1999, the forum has carried out invaluable work raising awareness. It's put the anti-domestic violence message on the back of Darlington's buses and council vehicles. Leaflets and stickers have been distributed across town and there have been a number of training schemes both for volunteers and professionals.

One of the forum's biggest successes has been its website, packed with information about domestic violence and where to go for support. There is also a facility for reporting incidents and taking out injunctions online, as well as research documents.

Based at the new Sure Start centre, Joy has worked for the forum for the last two years and, along with previous co-ordinator, Claire Seymour, launched the Freedom Programme. The course aims to educate women about domestic violence and help them break free from abusive relationships.

This is just one of the initiatives piloted by the forum during the last five years, making Darlington one of the country's pioneers in the fight against domestic violence. It's something Joy hopes to continue.

She says: "The area I'm particularly interested in is working with the perpetrators of domestic violence. My focus is on women and children but I think it's time men took responsibility for their behaviour. Unless we do something about it, I guess we're colluding with them in a way."

Some violent men do approach the forum, asking for help to stop them abusing their partners, but there is currently very little on offer. Leicester is the only town to operate a scheme for men and Joy will be working closely with the domestic violence forum there to develop something similar for Darlington. Although it is still in the early stage, it may have a similar format to the Freedom Programme and, as well as men seeking help themselves, there could be referrals from the Probation Service.

Critics argue that working with men diverts valuable resources from women and children but Joy thinks there could be considerable benefits.

She says: "When a man is removed from his partner or family, he doesn't stop abusing women. He just goes on to abuse someone else. If we can confront the problem and change his behaviour, it might just make him stop. If we don't, then other women are just going to be hurt."

Joy is just weeks into her job and she knows she has a lot of hard work ahead, but she is determined to crack down on domestic violence.

"I'm excited. I want to make things better for women and children and I want them to feel confident about the services we have in Darlington and know that they have all the support they need."

* Darlington Domestic Violence Forum's

website is at www.ddvf.org or you can contact Joy on (01325) 487718 or 07973 750841.

* The Freedom Programme will be running in Darlington from the beginning of this month. Open to anyone, it is free of charge and is being held at two venues in the town. Call Joy for more details.