It may seem like a strange mission statement for a support centre, but with the only male safe house in the UK and nearly 30 years' experience of supporting and safeguarding families, the Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre strives to be at the forefront of helping those affected by domestic violence.

Established in 1980, the charity offers male and female safehouse accommodation, a drop-in centre, a child contact centre and a 24-hour emergency helpline.

It also runs programmes such as the perpetrator programme and the understanding adults school programme as well as women's safety sessions to help rehabilitate and educate both the victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.

The projects are staffed by dedicated paid workers and volunteers, who are all trained and supervised to the same high standard.

Within the team there is a wealth and diversity of knowledge and experience and all staff are committed to delivering support, care and informed options to clients within an holistic approach.

A new area that the centre started focusing on in 2006, with the opening of its confidential male safehouse, is the often-ignored domestic violence against men.

The issue is regularly overlooked, but the 2001/02 British Crime Survey (BCS) found 19 per cent of domestic violence incidents were reported to be male victims, with just under half having a female abuser.

The centre receives calls from factory workers, police, social workers and people from all walks of life, and points out that domestic violence has no class distinction and no boundaries.

The charity hopes to acquire a larger property in the future to house the male safehouse as its current demand far outreaches the level of service available.

That the victims are always female is not the only myth surrounding domestic violence, with a lot more people affected than many might realise.

It has been estimated that one in four women will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives and that two women a week in the UK are murdered by a current or former partner.

It will always be difficult to know the true figures of domestic violence.

The term itself means different things to different people and the nature of the act means that it is often hidden and under-reported.

By raising public awareness with talks, press releases and media appearances, as well as working with victims, perpetrators and the children caught up in domestic violence, the Montgomery Family Crisis Centre hopes to dispel some of the myths that surround domestic violence and give those who are affected access to the facilities that can get them out of the circle of abuse.

If you, or someone you know, is affected by domestic violence, the Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre 24-hour helpline is available on 01686 629114 through which you can access one or many of the services provided by the organisation.