Great that a group may be opening up here, I will get my ass into gear and become a member and hopefully I will then be able to help out in some way, I work in a CVS (council of voluntary services) where i am responcible for recruitment and training of volunteers and volunteer co-ordinators for many charities in this area and lot of other duties in helping local groups, I may also be able to help outside of work in a voluntary capacity.
As to my incident of DV, it reallly has never had an effect on me, I continued in a happy relationship with her for a year after, we were both very drunk that night i was being a real asshole (no excuse for her behavour I know) but the next day we sat down discussed it, I appoligised for my behavour and explained that if she ever did anything like that again I was gone, she was very upset about what had happened and nothing like that ever happend again. It was over 6 years ago now.
We were both under exteam pressure at the time, I was having to leave and move over 200 mile away and neither of us could handle losing each other and it just got on top of us. (sometimes its true that you hurt the ones you love!)
but thanks for your kind words and other of support.
Wookie