A women’s charity is to open the first hostel for men who beat up their partners.

Women who are victims of domestic abuse are often forced to leave their homes. By opening a hostel for the abusers, it is hoped many women will be able to remain in the family home while their partners receive help.

The £728,000 project in Sunderland will offer accommodation and treatment. If successful, it could lead to similar hostels across the country. It will give 24-hour help to up to ten men at a time and is due to open within six months.

Wearside Women in Need, which will run the scheme, is considering a number of locations but no decision has been made.

Financing for the project was given the green light as part of the Budget announcements on local authority funding and has been widely welcomed by the police, probation service, council, victims and victim organisations.

Clare Phillipson, director of Women in Need in Washington, Tyne and Wear, said it had been trying to secure the funding for more than five years.

“Because this type of facility has never been opened, it has required the Government to take a risk.

“They have done that and the plan is now that the rest of the country learns from what we are doing here.”

Female victims of domestic abuse account for a quarter of all homeless in the city.

Ms Phillipson added: “As well as giving the men somewhere to stay, it will offer support and a programme to address their behaviour.”

Men can refer themselves to the hostel, or they can be referred by other agencies, including Northumbria Police.

Chief Superintendent Dave Pryer said that the funding allocation was welcome: “This is a much needed service which will take the pressure off victims having to leave their homes.”

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Science News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• An officer and a gentle woman
• Dame Helen Mirren is worthy of the Epidaurus
• Foods that can help to prevent swine flu