Domestic violence message on mats

More advisors have been taken on this year

Advice for those suffering domestic violence is to be put on Valentine-themed beer mats in Leicestershire.

The mats, along with stickers and bookmarks, will feature the slogan "Love is..." with positive relationship advice and contact numbers.

The county council's community safety team said they wanted to emphasise what someone should expect from a partner.

Their outreach services support about 550 families a year but said some still suffered in silence.

Launching the campaign, Byron Rhodes, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said Valentine's Day was a good opportunity to look at what a relationship should be.

"Many victims of domestic violence will try to justify the behaviour of those who abuse them because they still love and care for them.

"This campaign aims to give them insight into what a relationship should be and how they should be feeling on Valentine's Day. We would encourage them to seek help at this time".

To coincide with the development of the Specialist Domestic Violence Court in Loughborough, special independent domestic violence advisors have been funded this year.