MONMOUTHSHIRE council is making progress in raising awareness of domestic abuse, violence against women and sexual violence and the support available in the county.

Rachel Allen, the council’s domestic abuse co-ordinator, told councillors at its headquarters at Llanbadoc, near Usk, that all aspects of violence against women, which includes trafficking, prostitution, forced marriage and honour-based violence are included in the Monmouthshire domestic abuse and sexual violence action plan.

Ms Allen said the board, chaired by the council’s deputy-leader, Philip Hobson, is working to create a new action plan for 2014-2016 which covers prevention, protection and development.

She said: “We are creating a Gwent plan and should have a national, regional and Monmouthshire approach because we have different needs in Monmouthshire.”

Atraining seminar for councillors, focusing on domestic abuse, will be held in October to ensure they know how to signpost victims for support.

Ms Allen said the issue is not gender specific and that it is important that people in the county, especially in rural areas, know what support is available and what domestic abuse means.

Between April and June of last year 117 incidents were reported to Gwent Police compared to 178 this year, but Ms Allen put the increase down to more people being aware of the support available.