DURING THE coming fortnight, health centres across Angus will be be putting across the message that domestic abuse, in whatever form it takes, is unacceptable.

The health centres, beginning with the Abbey Health Centre in Arbroath yesterday, have joined forces with the Angus Partnership on Domestic Abuse (APODA) to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and to encourage patients, visitors and staff to find out more about the issue.

APODA aims to raise awareness of all aspects of domestic abuse by hosting information displays.

It is a multi-agency partnership bringing together organisations that are involved in dealing with domestic abuse as well as those affected by it— including NHS Tayside, Tayside Police, Angus Council, Victim Support, Women’s Aid and the Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre.

Patients, visitors and health centre staff will be able to pick up a wide range of leaflets, handy bookmarks and wallet-sized information cards, each one carrying important details and the contact numbers and websites of organisations that can provide help for those suffering domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone—regardless of age, social class, race, disability or lifestyle—and it can be physical, emotional, sexual or mental abuse of one person by another.

Although statistics show that the vast majority of domestic abuse victims are women, men are also affected.

The new APODA website, www.apoda.org.uk, contains useful information on what those suffering domestic abuse can do and where they can go to receive help and practical advice.