A ground-breaking scheme to combat domestic violence in Bradford could help thousands of women stay in their homes.

The Staying Put initiative, involving 11 organisations across the district, aims to make sure victims of abuse and their children are not forced out of their homes.

The scheme has grown out of a three year pilot project developed by Bradford Council, women's aid groups, the Bradford Law Centre and voluntary organisations.

Staying Put aims to assist women use civil law and a range of special home security measures. Six trained workers help children recover from the trauma of domestic violence.

Staying Put's project manager, Stuart Fogden, said: "The scheme offers women legal support as well as practical help with panic alarms, changes in locks and mobile phones."

Bradford solicitor Sue Williscroft, an expert on family law, has played a central role in developing the new project.

She said its aims were to encourage more women to report violent incidents in the home and to reverse the trend whereby women and children had little option but to flee to refuges and temporary accommodation.

Ms Williscroft added: "I suspect that greater alcohol and drug abuse may play a part. Domestic violence is about power and control. It is about the fact that it is still acceptable for women to be hit. If it wasn't, this would not be happening."

Previous multi-agency work to help victims of domestic violence in Bradford so impressed the Home Office that in 2001 it offered funding for the scheme to be extended district wide.

In turn that has led to the Staying Put scheme. The Legal Services Commission is giving the scheme £120,000 over the next three years to pay for a legal support worker.

Peter Nelson, the LSC's regional director, said: "The issue of domestic violence is a priority for the Government. The 2001 crime survey showed that 25 per cent of all violent crime involves domestic violence."

Keighley Domestic Violence Service, praised for its work by Home Secretary David Blunkett, has also been involved in the new measures.

Di Reed, KDVS's project manager, said: "This will make a huge difference to women in the district and make them feel physically safe.

"Women are coming out and speaking more openly. Hopefully we'll see a sea-change."

The Staying Put project is also offering a confidential free phone service. Women who are victims of abuse can contact the scheme on 0800 085 6206.