SINCE going live in March this year West Devon Women's Aid has received 79 calls to the Helpline and four women have received face-to-face support.

Last year, the police in West Devon had 200 incidents of domestic violence reported to them. Already this year for April and May they have received 53 incidents.

West Devon Women's Aid are planning a new training session for volunteers to start in September and would like to hear from women who think they would be interested in joining our organisation.

West Devon Women's Aid are also looking to set up support groups for women in West Devon who are suffering domestic abuse or have done in the past and are in need of support.

Abuse from a partner or close family member can be very confusing and leave many issues to resolve such as low self-esteem and confidence problems.

In a supportive group setting women can share their experiences and support each other in a non-judgemental way.

All calls are treated with the strictest confidence and no woman will be contacted at home unless she has stated it is safe to do so.

For more information about the group or the volunteers training programme ring the WDWAOP office on 01837 53321.

Janice Goodwin

Project co-ordinator

West Devon Women's Aid Outreach Project

PO Box 3

Okehampton