Comics launch domestic abuse helpline

Comedienne Dawn French and director Richard Curtis were launching a £2 million helpline for victims of domestic violence today.

They were being joined by survivors of domestic abuse and minister Lord Rooker at the event at a central London homeless families centre.

The venue was chosen because nearly 40% of homeless women are victims of domestic violence.

Comic Relief provided £1 million to set up the new helpline, and the Government put up the rest.

The charity said the service will require ongoing funding to survive.

There were an estimated 635,000 incidents of domestic violence in England and Wales between 2001 and 2002, according to the British Crime Survey.