"DON'T suffer in silence."

Those are the words of police officers who are calling on victims of domestic violence to speak out and get support.

Dorset Police deals with a case of domestic violence every hour of the day.

Officers receive on average 700 reports of domestic abuse per month across the county and have dealt with more than 36,000 incidents of domestic violence in the last five years.

At Christmas, there is a often a spike in the figures.

And on the same day as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, Dorset Police began a campaign to tackle violence at home.

Operation Maple will take place from December 4 until January 3, with officers conducting welfare visits to high risk victims of domestic abuse.

A spokesperson from the force said: "The cycle of domestic violence can only be broken if people come forward and report it.

"It is so important that victims do not suffer in silence."

Talks were given by police and crime commissioner Martyn Underhill, experienced officers, survivors of abuse and representatives of Safer Poole and Dorset Rape Crisis  to support the initiative.

And earlier this week, £3,000 was raised to help victims at the You First Dorset Integrated Domestic Abuse Service winter ball.

Since April last year, You First has worked with families suffering from domestic abuse that has affected more than 1,000 children.

Katie O’Connell, service manager at You First, said the charity has received more than 1,400 referrals since April 2014.

A guest at the event, who wished to speak anonymously, said: “Hearing the stories from a man and a woman who have experienced this hideous crime made me realise how devastating this can be not only to them but also their families.

“It was a fabulous night and I am so pleased we have been able to show our support.”

In September, the Citizens' Advice Bureau launched campaign Talk About Abuse in a bid to help those in need of support.

"There are many forms of domestic abuse including financial and emotional abuse as well as physical violence," said the organisation's chief executive Gillian Guy.

“Friends and family are often the only ones that know that someone is suffering domestic abuse, so it is important that the public as well as the authorities are aware of the different ways victims can suffer from domestic abuse and how to support them."