The findings of the report by the town's Domestic Violence Forum make sad reading. Many people will find a great deal of difficulty in understanding the true depth of the problem which lies in and amongst our community.

Others react by regarding it as a private matter, and because it happens behind closed doors the public generally has limited awareness of the problem.

However, we must accept the fact of life that each day someone - in the vast majority of cases a woman and mother - is subjected to a systematic and painful beating and the associated verbal degradation.

In many of the cases this violence is witnessed by children, Around 2000 youngsters are currently affected by domestic violence in what should be the sanctity of their homes.

If people cannot accept or don't want to accept these facts, then they should consider the financial cost of this most violent crime, which is running at around £2 million a year.

Domestic violence is not a private matter. It should and must concern us all. The Forum hopes its report may raise awareness, illustrate the extent of the problem and help loosen the purse strings of fundholders. Let's hope it will.

A new project is due to be launched shortly to support the young people affected by domestic violence. The most positive action we can take is to join with the Forum and declare that violence is totally unacceptable.

Then look around and see how we can help and support the agencies dealing with the issue for the sake of all concerned.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.