Gender violence is a phrase the public may not be automatically familiar with.

It usually refers to attacks by men on women, including sexual assault, rape, serious injury and even murder.

Males, however, can be victims too. In fact, forty-five per cent of women and 26 per cent of men have experienced at least one incident of inter-personal violence in their lifetimes, according to UK studies, showing how big an issue it is.

What makes tackling this sort of crime difficult is that it often takes place behind closed doors, with victims suffering in silence for a variety of reasons, including fear or even a wholly misplaced but very real sense of shame.

Now crime-fighting agencies across Bradford are launching a high-profile crackdown on these types of offences over the next 16 days.

One of the main challenges will be to explain to victims that they will be well treated and well protected if they come forward.

So it is good to see that efforts in this direction will be at the centre of the campaign.

The authorities are keen to point out Bradford is no worse for this sort of offending than other places and, indeed, has had some notable success in reducing domestic abuse.

Even one such crime is unacceptable, however, a view those involved in this timely initiative seem to share.