VIOLENCE and abuse against women and children in the home will come under the spotlight at a special conference in Burnley next week.

The aim of the council-sponsored anti-violence campaign will be to highlight the problem on a region-wide basis.

'Taking Action Together,' to be held at Burnley Football Club next Wednesday, will launch the second phase of the Lancashire Women and Violence Forum's Zero Tolerance campaign, which has successfully highlighted the support and protection available to victims of domestic violence.

The all-day conference has attracted the support of agencies and campaigners from Lancashire, Yorkshire, North Wales, Liverpool and Cheshire and features high-profile speakers, including police and a research fellow from Bristol University. About 150 delegates include police, probation services, DSS, health workers, NSPCC, Victim Support, Childline and domestic violence helper volunteers. The conference has been organised by the council's Challenge Funded domestic violence co-ordinator Susan Ivatt and will be opened by council leader Kath Reade. The keynote speech will be given by Det Supt Brian Newsham, head of the Lancashire child protection unit.

Said Susan Ivatt: "This is an initiative which will help raise awareness of the problem of domestic violence in the home and will be backed up across Lancashire by posters and leaflets.

"The message is that it is a crime to abuse women and children and that those who are being abused should seek help from specialists who are here to provide help for them."

Said Coun Reade: "Domestic violence must become as unacceptable in Britain as child labour."

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