A total of £50,000 has been pledged by West Dorset councillors to pay for domestic abuse intervention training in the west of the county.

“It is difficult to put a value in human terms of what this work does,” said Cllr Alan Thacker, proposing to give the money to the county-wide programme; “When people have done the training they get their self-esteem back, and often get back to work.”

He said the savings to society, and individuals, was immeasurable.

Cllr Molly Rennie, who is involved with domestic abuse programmes said the money would help victims who were often not in contact with any of the recognised services.

“The difference it makes is just amazing and in terms of social impact can save thousands of pounds.”

Another Dorchester Cllr, Susie Hosford, also backed the donation: “This is a proven programme which has demonstrated its success and reaches out to some of the hard to reach people. It's all about changing behaviours.”

The courses have been provided in West Dorset for the past four years through the Dorset Domestic Abuse Welfare Committee.

Since September 2014, 537 victims of domestic abuse including 6 men, have been helped and supported through training commissioned by the Welfare Committee at an average cost of £30,000 per year.

Clients can self-refer or are referred by Dorset Police; health providers; registered providers; housing services; the Court Witness Service; Social Services; You First; the Rape Crisis Centre and others.

The accredited courses are free to the attendees running for 12-weeks in length and run in school term times to help with childcare arrangements. They take place at safe venues that are not associated with learning or statutory agencies.

Many clients take two courses – the Freedom Course for those who may still be living in an abusive relationship and Recovery Tool Kit training to empower clients with lifelong skills, tools and techniques to make good life choices. Sessions cover understanding abuse; self-esteem; anger; conflict/assertiveness; boundaries, trust and goal setting.

Further information about domestic abuse and the courses available can be found at dorsetforyou.gov.uk