That there is even need for an awareness day calling for the Elimination of Violence Against Women shows just how important a new strategy to help survivors of domestic abuse in Bradford really is.

Sadly, there are still many men who think it is acceptable to direct the worst kind of violence against women, leaving their victims with broken bones and bruising and longer-term damage such as permanent mental and physical scars.

The new joint health strategy was launched yesterday at Bradford Royal Infirmary on that very awareness day. The message is that any abuse in the home must not be tolerated, and that women must speak out as soon as possible.

In the past, that has often been easier said than done, with victims often having nowhere to turn, no place to go – especially for those with children – and feeling intimidated by threats of yet more violence.

The new strategy aims to offer immediate support and give professionals the opportunity to intervene more quickly without getting bogged down by red tape. It aims to identify women coming through the emergency departments who may be victims of violence in the home, and to train other areas of healthcare in how to spot the signs that abuse is occurring.

The quicker that women feel able and confident to seek help against the men who cause them violence, the sooner the situation can be tackled. Violence against women is a significant healthcare issue in Bradford, and it is estimated that one in four women will experience some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime.

With these measures to help fast-track women out of danger in place, the authorities can then turn their attention to tackling the root of the problem – bringing the violent perpetrators to book and ensuring they do not harm women again.