Help families in crisis (From Stroud News and Journal)

Help families in crisis

THE Beresford Group is currently in its 25th year. A registered charity it provides a vital refuge, support and counselling for women and children who have experienced domestic violence.

Reporter Ashley Loveridge spoke to chair of the voluntary group Angela Lamond about the service it offers for women and their children in two secret locations in Stroud.

"HE beat me up when I was six months pregnant, I had long hair and he took hold of the plait and threw me against the wall.

He put one arm round my throat and he slapped me and punched me and said: "You're my wife and I'll do what I want to you."

"This is all too common," Angela told me as she pointed out a harrowing and all too familiar extract from the leaflet of the Stroud Beresford Group women's refuge.

Nationally domestic violence accounts for almost a quarter of all violent crime, with one case reported to the police every minute giving the Beresford Group further credence to their vital life-line.

"Women come to us in crisis. They are often traumatised after suffering mental, physical and psychological abuse and it is terrible for the children caught up in it," said Angela.

The Police Federation estimates that women are likely to be beaten a staggering 35 times before reporting the crime. Home Secretary David Blunkett is considering setting up a register of people convicted of domestic violence, similar to the one used to monitor sex offenders.

The need for groups like the Beresford Group is just as important as it was when it started 25 years ago.

The Beresford Group's roots began initially in Cirencester in the 1970's at a building called Beresford House at a time when domestic violence had begun to be recognised as a serious social issue but they received so many calls from the Stroud area that they formed another support group in the town in response to the identified need..

Initially run from a small flat with a telephone referral service. The group now run two refuges which house up to eight families at any one time to provide both residential and outreach support using a team of four professional refuge workers.

"Outreach work is done for women when they leave us and are re-housed. We mainly support women within the county but we have taken women from all over the country so the national network is vital," said Angela.

Run as an independent charity the Beresford Group is desperately seeking a fund raiser to join the voluntary management committee.

It receives grant aid from the Stroud District Council and Gloucestershire Social Services and also relies on donations.

Anyone who is a victim of domestic violence and needs help or would like to make a donation or discuss the role of fund raiser should contact 01453 764385.