ACADEMIC experts from across Britain are to converge on Worcester for a conference on domestic violence.

University College Worcester is to play host to the one-day event on Saturday which will attract scholars from Warwick and Bristol universities.

Topics that will be discussed include violence against women and how children can be affected, plus media perspectives on the subject.

The conference - which will raise funds for assisting victims - ties in with a new postgraduate course in management of domestic violence to be offered by UCW from September.

The course was established in response to a Government call for more training for professionals working in domestic violence.

It is important to maintain awareness of domestic violence and to raise funds for those services which provide help to women and children needing support and a safe place to stay, said Ruth Jones, conference organiser and part-time lecturer in sociology at UCW.

It is the first time all speakers have come together for a day-long conference, but this is an important issue and we are hoping that it will be the first of many such events.

Tickets for the event cost £25. Profits will be distributed by the Worcestershire Domestic Violence Forum to refuges across the county.

For more information ring UCW on 01905 27316.