Statistics provided by the UK Government Homicide Statistics 1998, Criminal Statistics for England and Wales 1997, “The day to count” research by Elizabeth Stanko 2000.

‘Worst Kept Secret’, a new project to join Local Solutions, aims to reduce domestic violence through a number of services. The main area of work carried out by the project is the provision of a confidential, helpline, which is free and doesn’t show up on bills (excluding mobiles), which not only offers a listening ear but also offers advocacy and information to both survivors and agencies. Worst Kept Secret is also the referral agency for accessing target hardening services and Lifeline Alarms from VNC Lifeline.

Another key area of work is to raise awareness of domestic violence and the issues faced by survivors through a social marketing campaign, consisting of posters, postcards and stickers. The project also manages an inter-agency monitoring scheme, which collects and collates statistics relating to incidents of domestic violence throughout Merseyside. The purpose of this scheme is to ascertain details of incidents and to work towards earlier intervention. Over 100 agencies are currently participating in the scheme and staff from Worst Kept Secret offer training and awareness sessions for those agencies taking part.

For further information:

Freephone Helpline: 0800 028 3398

Minicom: 0800 028 3397

Web: www.worstkeptsecret.co.uk