Euro MP Christine Oddy has welcomed the European Commission's decision to back a major campaign next year aimed at combating violence against women and is calling for practical action to put the ideal into practice.

Ms Oddy, who represents Coventry and North Warwickshire, said:

"Public opinion has thankfully changed in recent years with domestic violence against women increasingly seen as unacceptable and organisations like the police are now much more likely to take action against the perpetrators. But there is still a real problem and the campaign must be the focus for real action to tackle it."

She went on to praise organisations such as Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, whose workers provide a confidential counselling and support service to women and girls who have been the victim of rape or abuse.

"Organisations like this, whose annual meeting I attended last month are doing a splendid job in tackling one particular aspect of violence and I want to see similar groups getting greater support as part of the campaign" she said.