A CAMPAIGN has started to help victims of domestic violence over the Christmas period.

The tensions of the festive season can lead to an increase in attacks on women, usually fuelled by alcohol.

In Durham and Chester-le- Street, between April and September, 785 women reported they were victims of domestic violence.

Nearly half of them, 372, had previously suffered abuse in their home, at the hands of their partners.

Experts expect the figures to rise over the holiday period.

Paula Sugden, domestic abuse co-ordinator for Chester-le-Street and City of Durham Community Safety Partnership, said: "High as these figures are, they are really just the tip of the iceberg.

"These statistics represent only about 50 per cent of the problem, as there is a great deal of under-reporting which we have to get to grips with."

One in four women will be a victim of domestic violence at some time in their life.

A recent event in Durham City saw the release of 104 balloons, each representing a woman who had been killed as a result of domestic violence in the past year, nationally.

Chief Superintendent Trevor Watson, north area police commander for Durham Police, said: "Durham Police, as with other agencies across the county, take the issue of domestic violence very seriously.

"We are changing the way we deal with incidents, and we are looking to gather more on-thespot evidence which will be useful if a case goes to court.

"We are encouraging our officers to use head-cams to gather evidence, and we also encourage them to take positive action, if it is needed, to help reduce the tension in a situation."

One of the options open to women who have been abused is a hostel, which offers a safe place to recover and seek help.

Durham Women's Refuge has recently moved to improved premises and offers self-contained flats, rather than the shared living space.

Lisa Dodds, team leader at the refuge, said: "Places like Durham Women's Refuge offer a safe environment for women who are looking to escape violent situations.

That violence could be physical or it could just as easily be emotional, psychological or sexual.

"We see the refuge as a temporary shelter and, on average, our residents stay with us for three to four months. Sadly, we see some of our residents more than once."

The extent of abuse

IN COUNTY DURHAM

* Number of reports per year (average County Durham and Darlington) - 8,000

* 2005-06 reported incidents (County Durham) - 6,408

* Number of repeat reports - 2,316

* Reported incidents from April to September (Durham and Chester-le-Street) - 785

* Number of repeat reports (Durham and Chester-le- Street) - 372

NATIONAL FIGURES

* Women suffering domestic violence annually - between one in eight and one in ten

* Women suffering domestic violence in their lifetime - one in four

* Cost to society of domestic violence - £23bn per year

* 2003-04 number of women in refuges - 18,500

* 2003/04 number of children in refuges - 23,000

* Domestic violence accounts for 16 per cent of all violent crime

* 40 per cent of homeless women cite suffering domestic violence as a contributory factor in their

being homeless