Help for victims of wife beating is being increased

An average of 15 victims rung an overnight helpline during a trial period between December and May.

Women's aid workers have welcomed the decision to extend the scheme to make it possible for victims to call the helpline round-the-clock.

A spokeswoman for Scottish Women's Aid said: "Women experience domestic abuse every day and every hour of every day."

Mary Lockhart added: " We've campaigned tirelessly for a level of service provision which reflects this reality. "

Helpline boss, Liz Kelly, said: "The middle of the night is often the time when women have the opportunity and privacy to make the call. It's really important that they don't just get an answering machine."

Deputy Communities Minister Mary Mulligan said: "We're creating a permanent 24 hours service because this helpline provides invaluable support to women when they are very distressed and afraid.

"Support services are in place for anyone suffering abuse. "The message is clear: you're not alone and help is now available 24 hours a day."

Members of a 50-strong team of experts have dealt with about 25,000 calls since the �60,000 service was set up in 2000.

Research earlier this month suggested one in six Edinburgh midwives know at least one of their expectant mothers to be a victim of domestic violence.

The study, commissed by the Home Office, also revealed that one in 10 midwives said they thought pregnancy itself was the trigger for the abuse.

One in six Edinburgh midwives know at least one of their expectant mothers to be a victim of domestic violence, a report has revealed. The study, which was commissed by the Home Office, also revealed that one in 10 midwives said they thought pregnancy itself was the trigger for the abuse. The report said experts now believed domestic violence to be one of the most common complications in pregnancy. The study also showed a shortfall in training and resources for midwives.

Consultant midwife, Astrid Osborne, said: "We are now going down the same route as child abuse - 20 years ago that was not talked about, and we are at that same stage of disbelief with domestic violence in pregnancy."

Helpline number

The study, which surveyed members of the Royal College of Midwives, showed that nine out of 10 midwives accept that they should provide pregnant victims of domestic violence with information and access to support services.

But one in five were unsure when and if they should approach the subject.

Gillian Lenaghan, from the Royal College of Midwives in Scotland, said she was not surprised by the findings.

She told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We would have expected maybe even higher than that.

"We've recognised for some time that domestic violence, and domestic violence in pregnancy, perhaps is being reported more and that's why we're picking it up more."

We've recognised for some time that domestic violence and domestic violence in pregnancy perhaps is being reported more Gillian Lenaghan Royal College of Midwives in Scotland

She added: "Perhaps the woman feels more vulnerable, she's less keen to have sex, she's concerned about having intercourse because of her pregnancy and I think these things can spark things off.

"Also the man himself may well feel sidelined by the pregnancy and the interest that's being taken in the pregnancy."

A freephone number has been launched to coincide with the report's findings.

The domestic violence helpline will give confidential, round the clock advice and support to victims.

Ms Osborne said: "It's no longer necessary for women to feel frightened and isolated. "

The freephone number is 0800 0271234.