Shocking videos will be screened at conference

Interviews with men who have attacked their partners will be screened at the Federation's conference in Bournemouth.

The videos designed to highlight the extent of the problem are described as "shock tactics" by BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw.

Training for new police recruits on domestic violence is being cut from 15 to 12 weeks.

Understanding 'critical'

In the videos two unidentified men describe how they abused their partners.

"The Police Federation denies that it is giving perpetrators a platform and say the aim is to raise awareness of domestic violence amongst officers," said Danny Shaw.

Cutting training is really not going to help those women who desperately need the police to be sympathetic and understanding and to be able to respond quickly to their situation Myra Johnson, Women's Aid

Myra Johnson, from the domestic violence charity Women's Aid, said officers should give greater priority to training.

"I think it's critically important that police have a real understanding of what domestic violence is," she said.

"Very often we hear about cases where police don't really have an understanding about what the woman is going through."

She described the videos as "incredibly powerful stuff and incredibly frightening".

Ms Johnson said a quarter of women would experience domestic violence at some time in their life.

"Cutting training is really not going to help those women who desperately need the police to be sympathetic and understanding and to be able to respond quickly to their situation.

Plea to victims

"Domestic violence accounts for 20% of all violent crime so we have to see it as a real priority."

The conference will also hear a plea from solicitor general Harriet Harman, for victims who have suffered in silence to come forward.

She told GMTV it was difficult but essential for them to stand opposite their partner in court.

"The message does have to get across - if you attack your wife or partner that is every bit as much a crime as if you attack somebody in the street," she said.

"There is no excuse.