EASE, the East Anglian Survivors Enterprise, a confidential service for women who have suffered domestic violence, has received £5,000 worth of funding for its project in Great Yarmouth.

EASE, the East Anglian Survivors Enterprise, a confidential service for women who have suffered domestic violence, has received £5,000 worth of funding for its project in Great Yarmouth.

Spokesman Liz Anderson said: “We received the funding from the Norfolk Community Foundation's grass roots fund and this means we can plan our fortnightly meetings ahead until November of next year and this really good news for everyone.

“We offer the fortnightly coffee mornings to meet fellow survivors, have a chat and, best of all, meet new friends. With the new funding we can now offer a new course on self esteem. If a woman has been in a violent relationship, losing your self-esteem can be one of the first things to happen.”

Ms Anderson said that usually there are between eight and 10 people at the meetings and that the ages range from mid-30s to mid-60s and affects people of all ages.

EASE was set up by Liz's mother Joan David and two friends four years ago. Statistics show that 16pc of all violent crime relates to domestic violence resulting in two deaths per week across the country.

There are more repeat victims than any other crime and it affects one in four women. There is an average of 35 assaults before the victim contacts the police. Liz sais that the cost to society is not just in human terms, but also financial.

The scheme has been running now for four years in Norwich, and in 2005, EASE started a group in King's Lynn. The venue in Great Yarmouth is always kept confidential

Anyone interested in joining the group or who would like further information should contact the helpline 0800 731 4402.

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