March is National Domestic Abuse Month, a time to focus our thoughts on a crime which affects around one in four women and one in six men in Brighton.

Home Office Minister Baroness Scotland last week asserted her determination that, "No one should have to live with the fear of violence and abuse in their own homes."

I would like to remind people in Brighton that we at the Legal Services Commission (LSC) can help vulnerable people when relationships break down and, tragically, become abusive.

We work with quality-assured, skilled and dedicated advice providers to enable people to get the help they need, when they need it.

Each year the LSC helps around 20,000 people suffering domestic abuse.

Anyone in fear of domestic abuse can find out more about their rights in the leaflet Domestic Violence, Abuse and Harassment, published by Community Legal Service Direct.

The leaflet covers practical things you can do if you have been abused, how to take legal action if the need arises and details of what the police and your solicitor can do to help.

The leaflet can be found online at www.clsdirect.org.uk or you can call 0845 3454345 to find out where your nearest solicitor or advice service is located.

Martin Seel
South East regional director,
Legal Services Commission,
Invicta House,
Trafalgar Place, Brighton