A NEW drive to stamp out domestic violence in the county has been launched.

A group of local agencies, including Warwickshire Police, have signed the first ever Warwickshire Domestic Violence Strategy, which details the commitment each organisation has to the fight against an often hidden crime.

The new charter aims to tackle domestic violence by encouraging the reporting and recording of violent acts, ensuring the ethical investigation of domestic violence and encouraging initiatives to prevent it.

County councillor Martin Brassington said that according to the latest statistics one in five women suffer violence in the home and on average, women stay in a violent relationship for seven years, suffering 35 beatings.

"These are shocking statistics and it is imperative that we do all we can to reduce the incidence of domestic violence and support those experiencing it," he said.

Coun Brassington added: "All the agencies involved in this project take the issue of domestic violence very seriously. By tackling this together, we believe we can offer better support to those involved in violent relationships and end the tragic cycle of domestic violence."

Wendy Huckle, of the Warwickshire Domestic Violence Support Service, one of the agencies joining the charter, said the link-up proved the county's "overriding commitment" to working together to stamp out violence at home.

"People experiencing domestic violence often need help from many different agencies," she said.

"By working together, we can make sure that people get all the services they need and the strategy sets the stage for this."