Domestic violence rates are extremely concerning

Across the Barwon electorate, the statistics around incidents of domestic violence are extremely concerning. The rate of domestic violence assaults in western NSW is 3.6 times the state average according to data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).

Violence against anyone is unacceptable – the whole community should be concerned about the prevalence of domestic violence in the community.

Across the Barwon electorate, the high rates of domestic violence can in part be attributed to a lack of services to help both victims and perpetrators.

Domestic violence cannot be looked at in isolation. The availability of services to assist people before domestic violence occurs are paramount. Education, substance abuse services, access to counselling services would all help to mitigate the number of families affected by domestic violence.

My team has been working on understanding what services are available across Barwon for people facing domestic violence situations, what they have found is that it falls well short of what is needed.

There’s a lack of women’s shelters, which are key to getting women to a safe place. Research also shows us that there is a chronic shortage of crisis accommodation, and long term secure accommodation. This means many domestic violence victims return to violent partners because it’s perceived to be safer than living in unstable and unsafe housing or facing homelessness.

There are a number of fantastic organisations in our towns, communities that are working incredibly hard but they fight tooth and nail for funding. And it’s often the frontline workers that are forced to write grant application after grant application while they assist people in their time of need- which is an unacceptable situation.  

Bot the State and Federal Government have recently announced funding for domestic violence support services, this hasn’t included establishing additional women’s refuges in Barwon, something that I think is vitally important. I will be advocating directly to the Attorney General for more support targeted to regional NSW.

Services in Barwon

Bourke Homelessness and Housing Support Service