by Jo Earle

A new helpline has gone live today to help people who are suffering from domestic abuse in the Tunbridge Wells area.

It will offer advice and support to both women and men.

Highly trained volunteers recruited for the Domestic Abuse Volunteer Advocate Project will be on standby to guide those that ring in through what can sometimes be complex systems and procedures.

Ailsa Paton is co-ordinating the helpline, which opened at noon today.

She said: "It was important that local people knew that there is someone they can call when they need help.

"Some people will not want to leave the abusive environment that they are in but may just need someone to talk to.

"Others may want to escape the abuse and need more complex help with housing, in gaining injunctions through the court system or discussing their concerns regarding how they will financially support themselves and any children they have if they were to leave."

Anna is a domestic violence victim from Kent. She says it can happen to anyone: “All the time domestic abuse happens behind closed doors means nothing is going to change.

“The helpline can provide a space for you to think and be able to listen and hear your own thoughts on how you want your life to be. My only regret is that I didn’t call the helpline sooner.

“There’s a whole structure to domestic abuse where you fall into a trap of having your self esteem lowered and your confidence stripped and taken away from you which makes it much easier for your partner to then control you and use mental or physical abuse.”

The project has been funded by the Tunbridge Wells Community Safety Partnership and being organised by the Town & Country Foundation and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

The helpline will be launched on from noon today at the offices of Town & Country Housing Group, Monson Way, Tunbridge Wells.

The helpline number to call is 01892 570538.