A LOCHGELLY based organisation is helping survivors of domestic abuse change their lives around.

Cowdenbeath Area Committee heard on Wednesday how SAJE Scotland, based at the Ore Valley Business Centre, was giving women who had suffered from domestic abuse motivation to live independently without fear of abuse, harm or coercion.

Janet Henderson told councillors that SAJE was committed to wanting to reduce and prevent domestic abuse.

She said: "We do this by facilitating groups. The programmes are called the Freedom Programme and the Toolkit for Life.

"We want a world where domestic abuse is not tolerated and where everyone can live free from harm. The courses are designed to empower women to make positive choices about their own lives and for lives of their children.

"We facilitate groups for any woman who wants support and information of how to move towards living a life free of abuse. The groups look at the wide range and types of abuse women can experience and the impacts of abuse on women, children and our society.

"All the women in the groups will have experience domestic abuse at some time in their life. It is peer support and it is incredibly supportive and invaluable. The groups also provide friendship, support and, surprisingly, fun.

"Those who complete the course, our graduates, can go on to become a volunteer and, after some training, co-deliver the programmes.

"We work closely with other agencies in Fife who support those who have lived with domestic abuse and share lots of information".

Janet made it plain that there were male victims of domestic abuse and and the plan for 2017 that a group for them would be facilitated.

They have 22 volunteers and three full time staff and Janet said that they had a number of funding channels which were followed.

Committee chairman, Councillor Mark Hood, said that the presentation underlined that important work that is being done by SAJE.

He added: "Unfortunately there is a real need for this type of service.

"There are too many cases happening in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area but at least there is an organisation that can offer key support and help."