VICTIMS of domestic abuse across were urged to seek help at an information event in The Malls.

Taking Steps is a charity which helps victims of domestic violence, providing one-to-one sessions as well as visiting children from families suffering domestic abuse at their schools.

And a team of volunteers was on hand at The Malls to hand out information on the services they provide to mark Domestic Abuse Day on November 25.

In addition, the charity was also advertising their Christmas market which will take place at Carnival Hall, in Council Road, Basingstoke between 10am and 3pm, this Sunday.

The family event will allow victims of domestic abuse to have a day out with food and drink, and children will also get to meet Father Christmas.

Tickets to see Father Christmas are priced at £3.50, which includes a free present.

Gerrie Jordan, chief executive of the charity, told The Gazette: “It went really good on the day. It was quite busy and we had a few people come up and take leaflets. Even if it makes an extra one person aware of what we do, it is worth doing.

“We really want to give people a good Christmas. There is an increase in of domestic violence around Christmas and New Year. Christmas brings in new offenders and the situation gets so stressful and you get crisis with money, drinking and that creates new offenders so it is the time of year that it is rife within families.

“It is also the time of year that victims are going to keep more quiet because they have families over and they don’t want to ruin Christmas for the children.”

For information about the services Taking Steps offer, call Gerrie on 01256 541159 or 07810 430689 or visit takingstepsproject.com.

To book tickets for the Christmas market call Kerrie Hirst on 07513 437509 or email kerriehirst@me.com.