Abuse victims fight back

More victims of domestic violence in the Midlands than ever before have been given court injunctions to protect them and their children from violent partners.

A Heart investigation has uncovered the latest figures through the Freedom of Information Act.

In 2009 there were 915 orders made in Staffordshire, The Black Country and West Mercia, with an extra 624 court orders given out in Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire.

These figures are the highest on record, in 2008 there were 1072 orders handed out across the whole region.

Sally Dennis from Birmingham and Solihull Women's Aid told Heart that the molestation orders, more commonly known as court injunctions, can prevent the perpetrator from coming near to the victim's home, work or their children's school.

She added: "Women feel so positive about actually getting an injunction because to a certain extent their story is being believed and listen to by a court and someone has said that this behaviour is unacceptable and that's very important to women."

If your affected by this story and want to speak to Women's Aid you can contact their national helpline on 0808 2000 247.