A SPECIAL conference will look at how children and families can be protected from domestic violence.

The event has been organised by Val Forsythe, child protection adviser with CommuniCare NHS Trust and designated nurse child protection for East Lancashire Health Authority.

It will be held at Mytton Fold Farm Conference Centre, Whalley, on June 24.

Miss Forsythe said: "Over the last two or three years we have become aware that 30 per cent of children who live in households affected by domestic violence suffer some sort of physical abuse themselves.

"Previously if a child had been in a domestic violence household and was abused the normal thing was to protect the child, they were removed from the home. "Now the courts can issue an order getting the perpetrator out of the house.

"That is really important so that the child is protected and doesn't suffer any further and can stay at home with the rest of the family."

The conference will also look at the role of the police and Women's Aid in dealing with domestic violence.

About 90 people have so far signed up for the conference, including doctors, health visitors, specialist child protection nurses and social workers.

Miss Forsythe is hoping that the event will encourage health workers to realise they can do more than simply patch up the physical wounds suffered by victims of abuse.

"They have a much bigger role to play. They can give advice and support and see if the children need help as well."

Anyone interested in attending the conference should contact Miss Forsythe at Montague Health Centre, Blackburn, on 01254 263631.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.