Last year it came perilously close to closure.

Thankfully for the staff, who not so long ago were faced with redundancy notices, and the sufferers of domestic violence who rely on it for support through their trauma, Staying Put is doing just that.

Launched as a pilot project in Bradford through the Home Office Crime Reduction Programme in 2000, Staying Put broke new ground.

In the main, organisations dealing with domestic violence tend to find alternative accommodation for families fleeing violence within their four walls.

Staying Put and the multi-agency partnerships it works alongside enable women and their children to stay at home and that, says project manager, Yasmin Khan, has been the key to its success.

"It is innovative because up until then all the agencies supported women to leave and be rehoused but the success of this has been enormous," says Yasmin.

"We are reaching more women and women are able to stay in their own home. They or their children don't have to uproot."

She explains how risk assessments are carried out to ensure it is safe for the woman and her family to remain at the home address.

Panic alarms can be installed, locks can be changed and security checks are put in place and there's emotional support throughout any legal proceedings.

Empowerment is another tool women can use, giving them the confidence to cope with the trauma and, eventually, get on with the rest of their lives.

Some women actually rebuild relationships with their violent partner but usually after the violence has been addressed. Staying Put has links with a perpetrator project which works with the abuser, focusing on under-lying issues behind their violent behaviour. It also provides specialist legal support.

One client who has benefited from this confidential service says: "Staying Put actually does save lives. I was at my wits' end; I did not know what to do until Staying Put got involved. I am so grateful to Staying Put and the worker who helped me."

Parents aren't the only ones affected. A recent report by Unicef, the United Nations Children's Fund, found between 240,000 and 963,000 youngsters in the UK have witnessed violence against a parent or caregiver. This can have a significant impact on their lives and, potentially, can lead them to become violent later in life.

However, issues such as this are addressed through Staying Put's strong links with Bradford Council's Social Services department which, along with its partner agencies, Domestic Violence Services Keighley and the Family Welfare Association, formerly the Family Service Unit, provide extensive support to help children through their ordeal. They also raise awareness through schools.

Yasmin's background researching and working with organisations dealing with rape and domestic violence has given her an in-depth insight into the trauma it creates and the effect it has on women and the impact on their families.

In particular, Yasmin discovered the difficulties women from different cultures faced accessing support and information in times of trauma. Another issue is the stigma women often feel fleeing the family home and going into a refuge.

"Their problems are no different to other communities. Domestic abuse goes across all cultures. However, I think the language barrier has been a key factor," says Yasmin.

"It is harrowing for all women and it is difficult to uproot and leave and that is why Staying Put offers a holistic service. If they want to stay put we support that."

Last year they worked with more than 800 families, 30 per cent come from the black minority ethnic communities and the majority are referred through the police.

Their aims are to raise awareness about domestic abuse; promote a non-woman blaming approach to the issue; challenge collusion with male violence against women; offer practical support and strategies for support victims of abuse, and create models of good practice using a multi-agency approach.

Says Yasmin: "There are additional issues, usually arising out of intentional or unintentional discrimination, women who suffer from domestic abuse are given by society as a burden to carry and contend with in their struggle to find support.

"It is our hope to address these issues in a way that enables us to see women in the context of their real and difficult lives, in a way that can both acknowledge their humanity and courage."

Yasmin came on board a year ago just as the dust was settling following what was a pretty turbulent time for the project.

During the first few years funding was taken care of through the Home Office. Regeneration coffers and other funding avenues took care of it in the interim, but they were only short-term solutions, and with no cash coming in to secure its future, the project was on the brink of closure.

A generous £200,000 grant through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and ongoing support from the various agencies the organisation works with, Bradford Council, social services, the police, local solicitors and numerous domestic violence projects within the city and district, has enabled the continuation of this vital service.

With the support and injection of cash, Staying Put looks set to do so for the foreseeable future which is why staff are hosting a presentation in appreciation of their supporters at their AGM in the Thornbury Centre on Thursday.

Says Yasmin: "We feel it has had its challenging time, however, we have a proven track record that we offer a value for money service. We reach hundreds of women across the Bradford district, we provide emotional and practical support and we are partnership working. Without the crisis intervention support we would not be able to provide the service."

l For more information call (01274) 730070.