Staffordshire Police is hosting the launch of the county's branch of the National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) on 17 September 2007.

NCDV is a charity that specialises in providing help to victims of domestic abuse. The launch will mean that men and women in Staffordshire will be able to get free help to obtain an injunction against their abuser via a 24-hour hotline.

Staffordshire Police supports the work of the charity and officers will encourage victims to seek out the assistance the charity offers.

Assistant Chief Constable, Marcus Beale said: "Protecting victims is of paramount importance to us. NCDV can do a lot to help us achieve this. Working with the NCDV and our partners means that we will be able to provide an even more supportive service."

NCDV was founded in 2002 by barrister Steve Connor. Originally known as the London Centre for Domestic Violence, it aims to increase its number of branches across the country to 16 over the next two years. It offers free legal advice and support to people who are ineligible for public funding such as legal aid.

Its centres are staffed mainly by volunteers and law students who are part of the McKenzie Friend training scheme. The students accompany victims to court to offer support and help to obtain injunctions.

Kathy Coe from the Pathway Project said "We're delighted that NCDV is launching in Staffordshire. Women will now have access to free legal advice at the time of need. They won't be excluded from seeking an injunction because they don't have access to public funding so from our perspective it's brilliant"

Dickie Chester-James of Staffordshire Women's Aid agreed that NCDV could prove to be a useful partner:" It's increasingly difficult for the women we work with, who aren't eligible for legal aid, to get help. Knowing that they can get an injunction quickly without having to worry how they're going to pay for it should help more women seek help sooner. I think this sort of additional service could be very valuable and we look forward to seeing the benefits."