Wearside Women in Need insists the rise in referrals of violent men has soared in the last six months and they are now helping 35 abusers curb their tempers.

The group is also bracing itself for a busy time at Christmas when money worries and alcohol trigger fights.

Staff believe the increase in referrals is also because more people are aware of the group.

Clare Phillipson, director of the group, said staff would be looking after 60 women living in the refuge and a further 130 living in the community this Christmas.

Particularly bleak

She said: "There has been an increase in domestic violence but we treat the increase in the referral of men as a positive thing as more people are asking for help and know the service is here.

"Men refer themselves or are referred by a partner or the police and we work with them as individuals or in groups to get them to accept responsibility for their behaviour.

"Christmas is a peak time - many people are off for two weeks and those who are predisposed to violence have more of an opportunity to exert it."

Steven Jarvie, men's worker for the organisation, said the days after Christmas were particularly bleak for those living with violence.

He said: "Wearside seems to match the national statistic which suggests that one women in four experiences domestic violence.

"Unfortunately a lot of things that are blamed for domestic violence such as alcohol, stress and money worries are in abundance at this time of year. "