Here's an idea

Here in Bradford, we didn't have enough refuges for victims of domestic violence, and we were concerned that women and children were having to leave their community, friends and schools. But our Staying Put project now helps victims of domestic violence remain in their homes.

There are a number of different elements to the scheme. We contracted Careline, the community alarms provider, to provide a 24-hour helpline and install phones and panic buttons in the homes, so that victims can call for help when they need it. We have staff to provide emotional support, and legal workers to help them through the courts if appropriate.

We use an agency called Speed to ensure the women are safe in at home – a process the police call "target hardening". They survey the house, and install window bolts and locks, mortice locks, locks on the hinge side of the door to make it harder to break down, or sometimes a new door.

As as a lot of victims are reluctant to break up with their partner, we also work with the perpetrators to help them manage their anger.

We have a secondary stage with a group of staff who can work with children, and do work in schools concerning domestic violence .

We got together a steering group with a lot of interested parties: housing organisations, social services, probation officers, the police, Women's Aid, the law centre, the Worth Project, which helps perpetrators curb violent behaviour, Keighley Domestic Violence Services and the NSPCC.

The project is now in its third year, and we've got £157,000 from the Home Office for 2003/04, which we must match with local money. We've just been approved funding from the Legal Services Commission – £30,000 a year for the next three years to cover the legal support services.