‘THERE is still time to change’ is the message behind a new campaign aimed at changing the behaviours of perpetrators of domestic abuse.

West Yorkshire Police is targeting both men and women who are concerned about their actions whether it involves physical violence or controlling tendencies.

Figures released from ONS show that West Yorkshire has the highest number of police recorded domestic-abuse incidents in the county.

Read more: What to do if you think you're a domestic abuser

For every 1000 people, 22 of them have reported domestic abuse related cases.

The ‘It’s in your hands’ campaign coincides with the international 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence and will encourage people to access support.

Catherine Hankinson, assistant chief constable at West Yorkshire Police, said: “We do a lot of work to encourage those affected by domestic abuse to break the cycle and seek help. Our message with this campaign is that ultimately it is in the perpetrators’ hands and their hands only to change their behaviour for good.

“Families can be torn apart by domestic abuse but we also know a lot of people want to do what they can to keep their family together. Ultimately, the earlier that you get help to understand and change the way you behave, the better chance you have of fixing your relationship with your partner and protecting any children in your household.

“There are organisations across West Yorkshire who are completely independent of the police who help both men and women to address the root causes of their violent or controlling behaviour and change their mind-set.”

She added: “While they do work with people who have been arrested, it doesn’t need to get to that stage and we are encouraging people to make the call now before it gets that far.”

Domestic abuse can take place in many different forms with many people believing it just involves physical violence. It can also include psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse.

Mark Burns-Williamson, the police and crime commissioner (PCC) for West Yorkshire, is urging people to take positive steps towards changing their own “damaging behaviours”.

He said: “The effects of what are known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which include domestic abuse, are becoming much more widely understood. It’s crucial that as part of our efforts to tackle these issues we raise awareness of the further and very damaging consequences of domestic abuse in the hope that it will help trigger a change in behaviour.

“It is all about getting help at the earliest stage possible from support organisations who can work with you to change your behaviour if you are concerned that you’re becoming aggressive or controlling towards your partner. Anyone who is concerned about their own behaviour should seek help. As this campaign shows, there is support out there for them to do it."

16 Days of Action will end on International Human Rights Day.