The research project proposed to detail the ways in which victims of domestic violence came into contact with the police, the characteristics of those incidents and the subsequent action taken by the police. The project drew upon the views of those offering support to victims of domestic violence immediately after the incident, in particular within the police and at refuges, to see what kinds of support service might be most useful and how it could best be integrated with other services. The report comprises four sections. The first section, which forms the bulk of the report, describes a survey of domestic incidents reported in the area in which the support service may be located. Section Two looks at the work of South Yorkshire Police's domestic violence officer, particularly with regard to incidents covered by the survey described in Section One. The third section looks at services provided by women's refuges in Sheffield and the views of refuge staff. Section Four contains conclusions and looks at services which are lacking in Sheffield, the role of a civilian support unit of the type proposed, the potential problems facing such a unit and actions which can improve the service provided to victims of domestic violence in Sheffield. Tables, references