Leeds Rhinos legend Jamie Jones Buchanan in plea to domestic violence offenders

Jones-Buchanan said domestic abuse is "never acceptable" as he backs the club's social media campaign to raise awareness of the issue

His call comes amid rising numbers of reports of domestic violence incidents during the Coronavirus lockdown.

Meanwhile, The Leeds Rhinos Foundation has said its 'Tackle It' rehabilitation courses for domestic violence offenders in prison are producing positive results.

Of the 31 prisoners who have completed the courses since October 2018 at HMP Wealstun near Thorp Arch, Wetherby, only one has been resentenced for a domestic violence offence.

The results have been revealed as the YEP publishes a week-long series of articles in support of the 'No Excuse for Abuse' campaign.

The campaign , backed by charity Inspire North and Leeds Rhinos Foundation, has been launched to help raise awareness and to educate the public about how to spot and report the signs of domestic abuse.

Jones-Buchanan, who is a trustee of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, said: "Domestic abuse is never tolerable, it's never acceptable and we want to remind men, and women, who are guilty of domestic abuse to seek help and to remind them that there is no excuse for abuse.

"People have been killed during the lockdown.

"If we help save one person, if we can help children in domestic abuse households get help and support, we have got a duty to do it for our community."

He added: Leeds is my home, Leeds is where my kids are growing up. I want it to be the best city in the world and the best environment for them.

"If we can influence that environment and make a difference through the power of sport we have to play a part in that."

A report published by the Home Office Affairs Committee last week revealed that calls to the National Domestic Abuse helpline, run by Refuge, increased by 49 per cent in the week prior to April 15.

Research by Counting Dead Women calculated that at least 16 domestic abuse killings of women and children had taken place between March 23 and April 12, double that of an average 21-day period in the last decade.

The Leeds Rhinos Foundation's 'Tackle It' courses started in October 2018.

The coronavirus outbreak brought the fourth and latest six-week course to a premature end in March after nine out of a planned 12 sessions were delivered.

A total of 31 sentenced prisoners - who have committed offences against a total of 41 victims - have completed the courses.

All are serving terms of imprisonment for domestic abuse or have a long standing history of domestic abuse, with most considered as being high risk.

Course topics include thinking skills, feelings and behaviour, communication, blame, denial and minimisation, accountability and beliefs.

Speaking about the latest course, Bob Bowman, chief operating officer at The Leeds Rhinos Foundation, said: "Perpetrator participation has been strong on this course.

" A few prisoners were in denial about their behaviour at the start but as the course progressed they have accepted their issues and attempted to address them.

Attempts are made to contact all victims, who are invited to take part in the process.

Mr Bowman said: The victims have engaged well once again and appreciated the contact. For some it has been a long time since the initial offence and many have lost contact in relation to the perpetrators whereabouts and release dates.

"Many still live in constant fear, feeling isolated and often blaming themselves. By recontacting them they have been reintroduced to the relevant domestic abuse services on offer with West Yorkshire to support their needs.

Mr Bowman added: "The majority of prisoners that attend the courses have an extensive criminal and domestic abuse history and are violent individuals.

"However, most will say this is the first course they have been offered in prison to address their domestic abuse behaviour.

"To date, only one has returned back to prison for a domestic abuse offence. Let's hope the reoffending figures continue to remain low."

The Leeds Rhinos' social media campaign dubbed “There’s no excuse for abuse" - which was launched last month - is urging people who think neighbours are in danger to alert the police.

It is being run by The Leeds Rhinos Foundation in conjunction with Inspire North, a charity which provides support for people affected by domestic abuse and mental health issues across the North of England.