An application to the violence against women fund is being developed by the council to increase the capacity of the Dundee Domestic Abuse Forum’s support team.

It will seek additional resources to cover the cost of employing a development worker for children and young people affected by various forms of violence against women.

The Domestic Abuse Forum, which is chaired by city council housing director Elaine Zwirlein, is dedicated to ensuring that organisations and individuals take all practicable measures towards reducing, and in the longer term eliminating, the incidence of domestic abuse in Dundee.

In its strategic plan for 2007-09, the forum outlines its main priority as ensuring that the diverse needs of women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse are addressed, that the perpetrators are held responsible for their actions and that the local community recognises that domestic abuse must not be condoned.

National research estimates that at least one in five women will suffer domestic abuse at some time in their lives and that more than 100,000 children and young people in Scotland are living with domestic abuse.

A bid will also be made to the multiple and complex needs initiative on behalf of the Tayside Domestic Abuse and Substance Misuse Project, which is located within the city council’s housing department.

If successful, the funding will be used to cover the costs of the continued employment of a development worker and extend the work of the project for a further nine months, until the end of this year.