An emotive performance of a drama designed to highlight why women stay in abusive relationships was at the centre of the launch of a campaign to tackle domestic violence.

The campaign is being led by the Domestic Abuse Partnership - made up of the Safer Communities Partnership, a partnership between Bradford Council, West Yorkshire Police, the Probation Service and Bradford & Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust - and voluntary sector organisations.

They have developed a strategy to tackle the crime on a range of levels to ensure that women experiencing abuse have a range of options to help them in what could be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse.

Domestic abuse figures rise during the holiday season such as Easter, summer and Christmas, but there are also other triggers such as pregnancy.

This particular campaign, which was launched yesterday features an image of a man attacking a pregnant woman on posters, bus adverts and billboards.

At the launch there was a performance by Certain Curtain Theatre Company of The Lady in Red, a 45-minute educational drama which is part of the work by Lindsay Bridge, the Council's domestic abuse awareness training co-ordinator, to train staff to be able to spot the signs of domestic abuse.

Chief Superintendent Sarah Brown, co-chairman of the Bradford District Safer Communities Partnership, said: "Domestic abuse is a serious crime and Bradford District Safer Communities Partnership has a range of services to provide advice and support to victims. We urge anyone experiencing domestic abuse to report it to the Police."

Councillor Martin Smith, the Council's executive member for safer communities, said: "Domestic abuse is completely unacceptable and we are committed to tackling it across the Bradford district.

"If you or a friend or family member is suffering from domestic abuse we urge you to take action and report it to the police on 0845 606 0606."

And Moira Wilson, the Council's strategic director for adult services, as well as chairman of the Domestic Abuse Partnership, said at the launch: "There are some really good things happening in Bradford to support women fleeing domestic violence. This campaign is to raise the profile and make sure people affected know where to turn."

Last year in Bradford there were 8,663 reported incidents of domestic abuse, an increase of 2.4 per cent on the previous year. And compared to other authorities in West Yorkshire, Bradford has consistently had the highest reporting rate.

e-mail: jo.winrow @bradford.newsquest.co.uk