DOMESTIC violence in the Eastleigh area is on the rise with 23 reported incidents in the past month alone.

It's a statistic that matches national trends. But according to the Eastleigh Community Safety Partnership the increase is mainly due to new initiatives aimed at helping victims deal with the problem in a safer and more positive way - including eliminating worries about reporting incidents for fear of reprisals.

According to a safety partnership spokes-man, incidents of domestic violence previously went unreported because victims often did not know what to do or where to go when they were subjected to attacks in the home. In many cases it was considered by the victim to be an accepted part of life.

The safety partnership has now launched a support network to deal with the problem that affects one in three women in their lifetime. One in seven men are also victims, but incidents rarely get reported.

One of the safety partnership's initiatives includes the funding of a domestic violence social worker who works closely with other agencies including the police.

Now, the message to victims - especially women - is don't suffer in silence because follow-up measures include taking all possible steps to protect against further attacks and to restore harmony within the home.

The safety partnership says situations that spark domestic violence include debt, work troubles, infidelity and conflict involving children and that, in many instances, the aggressor is under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances when attacks are carried out.

Remedial measures include housing the victim in a refuge for a cooling off period, plus offering counselling, anger management courses and mediation.

In very extreme cases where there is little likelihood of resolving or preventing repeated acts of violence, victims are offered support to find a safe haven and eventually move on to a new life.

Strategic manager for domestic violence in Eastleigh and chairman of the Domestic Violence Forum, Chris Parsons, said: "Our aim is to offer a complete support network and information to victims of domestic violence and, ultimately, help restore unity in the home and enable families to continue living together without the fear of violence."

Eileen Speck, one of two domestic violence co-ordinators for Eastleigh police added:

"Many people are frightened to report incidents to the police as they feel that control will be taken away from them.

"This is not the case and will only happen in exceptional circumstances involving the more serious incidents.

"The police can offer a support role to victims and their families and put them in touch with other agencies that will help them. Our expertise is in knowing the law and we have a world of knowledge at our disposal."