SIR — The police have recently undertaken a tour of the county to discuss domestic violence, but how sincere are they with their assertions? As a victim of domestic violence/abuse who was invited by the police to make a victim statement at a local police station, others need to be aware of the dangers that lie within. For example, victims will not be warned that they will not be given a copy of their statement. Nor will they be advised that the contents of the statement can be used later against them on totally unrelated matters. Meanwhile the violence and/or abuse may still continue. If complaining, you will be told to contact the Professional Standards Department, who would seem not to know how to investigate such matters, in that it is unlikely they will contact you to establish what it is they need to investigate. When this approach fails you will then be given the option of the Independent Police Complaints Commission who similarly have their own ways of investigating matters. They also will probably not contact you to establish what it is you are complaining about. The whole system seems based entirely upon presumption. Be warned therefore to keep a record of all correspondence. We all need to hope that salvation will come to those who suffer in silence and that someday the force will implement a system that is geared more towards those who undertake the violence/abuse than those who report it. Name and address supplied.