CAMPAIGNERS for women's rights in East Lancashire have welcomed the launch of a new national policy on domestic violence.

They say the new policy, launched by the Prime Minister's wife Cherie Blair and the director of public prosecutions David Calvert-Smith is an important step forward because it recognises that both men and women can be victims.

They say it is also a vital move because it recognises domestic violence as a serious crime.

From April, 1999, to March, 2000, there were 16,683 incidents of domestic violence in Lancashire.

This compares to 16, 909 in the same period from 2000-2001. Police believe the numbers reported to them may be only a fraction of the true total.

Vivian Blackridge, management member for Blackburn with Darwen's Women's Aid, said: "We welcome the new policy because we feel that it works towards protecting victims, obviously, and it is part of this joined-up response of multi agency working together.

"I think it is very positive, although there is still a long way to go, but it is very encouraging. We need to recognise domestic violence as the crime it is. Sentencing should actually reflect this. It gives the police more power in relation to looking at domestic abuse."

Ms Blackridge said Women's Aid members from across the country had been closely involved with the Crown Prosecution Service, which had put the policy together.

One of the charity's most important concerns was not expecting victims to have to give evidence in open court.

"What we have always asked for is whether corroborative evidence could be brought in, which takes the pressure off the woman," she said.

"Now their statement can stand alone and they don't have to give evidence in court. They can also now give evidence by a video link, which will also help vulnerable victims of domestic violence."

The policy includes a new definition of domestic violence which is: "Any criminal offence arising out of physical, sexual, psychologial, emotional or financial abuse by one person against a current or former partner in a close relationship, or against a current or former family member."

Director of public prosecutions David Calvert-Smith QC said: "In the past, violence and abuse in the home tended to be viewed as less serious than a similar offence elsewhere. The domestic element was seen almost as a mitigating factor.

"It amounts to a fundamental breach of trust since everyone has the right to feel safe in their personal relationships.

"In the vast majority of cases the offenders are male and the victims female. But our definition also includes male victims abused by females, victims in same-sex relationships and victims of abusive family members."

Barbara Roche, Minister for Women, said: "Every three days a woman dies as a result of domestic violence. This figure is unacceptable and these new guidelines will help ensure those responsible for threatening the safety of any woman, man or child in their own home, will be held accountable."

A new campaign to crack down on domestic violence has also been launched by Lancashire police.

The Women Influencing Safer Environments initiative (WISE) will ask women across the county to detail their experiences of domestic violence so the police can form strategies to deal with it over the next few years.