Anonymity for beaten women?

Victims, who often feel shame and embarrassment, would be more likely to testify against their attackers if their identities were protected, say ministers.

The proposal - mirroring laws protecting sex crime victims - is included in a shake-up of domestic violence laws being studied by Solicitor General Harriet Harman.

Other steps could include new laws to prevent harassment from abusive partners and ministers appealing if wife-beaters receive insultingly lenient sentences, she revealed yesterday.

The proposals are expected to be welcomed by women's rights groups in Worcestershire, where there are hundreds of cases of domestic violence each year.

Tony Breeze, area manager for Victim Support Worcestershire added his weight to the plans.

"Victim Support Worcestershire supports the legislation and welcomes any changes in the law that improves the conditions for victims and witnesses," said Mr Breeze.

Ms Harman said it was vital to drum home the message that violence at home would not be tolerated.

"Women know that they have protection against being beaten at work and in the street," she said.

The Crown Prosecution Service deals with 13,000 domestic violence cases a year.

But hundreds more remain hidden behind the front door, say experts.

Changes in the law would show women that courts were "on their side" and that the Government was committed to tackling the problem, she said.

A "non-molestation" order could also be created to prevent abusive partners from pursuing victims and their families.

Ms Harman's determination to get tough on perpetrators of domestic violence was highlighted in a recent case.

She successfully appealed to the Court of Appeal to increase a wife-beater's non-custodial sentence to a six-month jail term.

A spokeswoman for Ms Harman stressed the ideas being discussed were in the early stages of development and had not yet been adopted.