AS Valentine s Day approaches, the spotlight is being shone on people trapped in abusive relationships and who are being forced to marry against their will. Tower Hamlets council is using its annual campaign, Domestic Abuse No Excuse, to send a message th

AS Valentine's Day approaches, the spotlight is being shone on people trapped in abusive relationships and who are being forced to marry against their will.

Tower Hamlets council is using its annual campaign, Domestic Abuse No Excuse, to send a message that there is help at hand to people who are the victim of domestic violence.

Information stalls and drop-in sessions will be touring the borough in the run up to Valentine's Day so people can find out about the help and support that is available.

The council's community safety leader Cllr Abdal Ullah said: "There is never an excuse for domestic violence. This type of abuse can go on unnoticed for many years, and often escalates over time.

"On average it takes three and a half years before someone seeks help, and we want to use this campaign to help victims recognise what they are experiencing is not right, it's not their fault and there's help out there."

Every year around 4,000 women and 2,000 men are affected by domestic violence in Tower Hamlets, with police being called to deal with an average of 11 domestic incidents a day.

Domestic violence consists of any threatening behaviour, violence or abuse, whether physical, sexual, financial or emotional, between current or past intimate partners or family members.

It also includes forced marriage, which will be a particular focus of this year's Domestic Abuse No Excuse campaign and information about support services and legal protection for victims of forced marriage will be available.

Every year in Britain hundreds of young people, both male and female, are forced by family members to get married against their will.

Information and drop-sessions will be at:

Canary Wharf Idea Store, Churchill Place next Monday from 10am-5pm

Tower Hamlets College, Poplar High Street next Tuesday from 11.30am-2.30pm

Jack Dash House, lawn Close, Isle of Dogs, next Wednesday from 10am-5pm

Whitechapel Idea Store, Whitechapel Road, next Thursday, from 10am-5pm

Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road, next Friday, from 10am-4pm

People can report domestic violence or seek help from the 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or Tower Hamlets Domestic Violence Team on 0800 279 5434.

For forced help and advice on marriage call 020 7008 0151.