Improvements in support due to domestic violence advisors

There are currently around 400 to 500 IDVA's nationwide, who help domestic abuse victims navigate their way through different support bodies across health, councils, courts and children's services.

However, the Safety in Numbers report by the Hestia Fund, the Sigrid Rausing Trust and The Henry Smith Charity, found that at least 1,200 to 1,500 are needed to meet demand.

Among the improvements highlighted in the report was an end to all attacks for two-thirds of families who received support from an IDVA.

Direct threats to kill children were almost halved. IDVA intervention also helped to reduce the proportion of families who feared for their child's safety from 30 per cent to seven per cent.

Diana Barran, co-author of the report and a trustee of the Hestia Fund, said: "Many of these are employed by small charities. Very few are commissioned by local authorities, health and criminal justice agencies and that needs to change."

The report, which was based on interviews with 2,500 women aged between 15 and 83 over a two year period, has been published the day before the Home Office is due to publish its strategy to combat violence against women and girls.

This strategy is expected to include a focus on combating domestic abuse at an early stage and among young couples.

A survey published by the NSPCC in September revealed that a third of 13- to 17-year-old girls had suffered sexual abuse and a quarter had been victims of violence while in a relationship.