The Dorset branch of the National Centre for Domestic Violence opens to the public today. It specialises in assisting people on the receiving end of domestic abuse obtain court orders, or injunctions, against the perpetrators.

The free service includes advice and support and is available for anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, sexuality, or personal circumstances. It aims to get cases to court within 24 hours, or on the first working day after initial contact.

Inspector Ben Hargreaves, of Dorset Police Public Protection Unit, said: “Dorset Police will be one of the biggest referrers of cases. Traditionally we have been involved in dealing with domestic violence as a crime.

“We also record and investigate incidents where we haven’t got enough to prove a crime has been committed. In the past, police officers would advise sufferers to speak to a solicitor and obtain an injunction.

“Unless they were wealthy enough to be able to fund a lawyer, or were public funded, they would perhaps fall into the category of people who didn’t have access to money, or not enough to go through the court process. They were at risk of losing confidence in the system.

“We are trying to increase the number of reports of domestic violence, but we also want to reduce repeat victimisation. We see the injunction service as part of our toolkit.”

Mr Hargreaves added: “Studies show that an average victim will have been victimised at least 30 times before they tell anybody about it. We will record 6,000 incidents in Dorset this year alone.

“This is a problem that affects almost everybody in this country at some time in their lives. I think it’s rooted into the fabric of our society. We want to educate people that they don’t have to put up with it.”

Steve Connor, chairman of the charity, said: “I’m confident that by standing together in Dorset we will send out a message that this crime will not be tolerated any longer, and that everything will be done to bring perpetrators to justice.”

Since July 1, police officers have been able to arrest anyone who breaks a domestic violence injunction. Offenders can be jailed for up to five years.

To access the service, call 08709 220704 or freephone 0800 9 70 20 70, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.