A CAMPAIGN offering a lifeline to victims of domestic violence in Bromsgrove has been launched by West Mercia Constabulary.

One in four women and one in six men will suffer domestic violence at some point in their life. Now the Home Truths campaign is publishing helpline numbers for anyone who wants help to get out of an abusive relationship.

Bus adverts and drinks mats in pubs are being used in the force area as part of the high profile public information campaign.

Det Supt John Molloy said: "It is difficult to imagine the hell of living in constant fear in your own home. Not because of your neighbours or strangers, but because someone who is supposed to love and cherish you is going to attack you again, beat you again and you don't know how much more you can take or what you can do to get away from it."

He added: "Home Truths aims to offer people choices. We know that people can feel trapped and our aim to offer them a vital lifeline."

West Mercia has been working in closer partnership with other support agencies, such as Victim Support, Women's Aid, refuges and local councils, to break the cycle of domestic violence.

Home Truths is being launched as a result of new guidance on investigating domestic violence from the National Centre for Policing Excellence, which requires West Mercia to deliver a consistent standard of service throughout the force area.

The drive will be helped by the forthcoming Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act, which extends the definition of violence to include same sex partners, forced marriage and those who commit violence against other adult family members. Crucially, convictions can now be secured without the direct involvement of the victim.