A THIRD major drive to highlight domestic violence in Worcestershire has been launched to persuade more victims to report crimes against them.

As part of the campaign, which was launched yesterday at Worcester's Guildhall, 8,000 people across the county are being urged to wear white ribbons.

Leaflets will be sent to employers and awareness displays staged at venues across the county, including one in Worcester High Street this Thursday.

The 16-day campaign has been launched by the Worcestershire County Forum Against Domestic Violence which co-ordinates a multi-agency approach to the problem.

Claire Richards, co-ordinator of the forum, said the main aim of the campaign - which will end on International Human Rights Day on Monday, December 10 - was to raise victims' confidence so that crimes are reported and victims can be given specialist support.

"We have grown steadily since we started three years ago," said Claire. "We are developing a more positive campaign. More crimes are being reported because people are aware.

"There were 3,632 cases of domestic violence reported last year of which 2,025 were reported in Worcester, Malvern and Wychavon. It is the least likely violent crime to be reported to police and women can't easily leave a violent household."

Worcester MP Mike Foster, who was due to speak at the conference, sent his apologies because he was called to Parliament on important business.

But he told the Evening News that he backed the forum 100 per cent.

"They do tremendous work and they know they can depend on me for support," he said.

Speakers included Jan Francis, chairman of the National Council for Women's Aid, Alec Kendall, assistant director of public health for Worcestershire Health Authority, and Charlotte Woodward, regional helplines co-ordinator.

Claire said she was particularly proud of the new Perpetrator's Scheme aimed at preventing domestic violence occurring in the first place.

More than a dozen men have already been referred to the scheme since it started in May. It is designed to help men through voluntary referrals from agencies such as primary care teams, social services, drugs and alcohol services.