The Bourke community has ‘Risen Up’ to end domestic violence. For the month of October the Bourke Thiyama-li office invited men and women from the community to take part in a promotional artwork competition, to show support as a community to end Domestic and Sexual Violence. ‘Thiyama-li’ means to rise up in Kamilaroi.

“For many, home is a place of love, warmth and comfort. It’s somewhere that you know you will be surrounded by care and support, and a nice little break from the busyness of the real world. But for millions of others, unfortunately, home is anything but a sanctuary," said Nadine McNulty, Manager of Thiyama-li in Bourke. "National Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness month is an annual awareness event held in October."

As a Domestic and Family Violence Indigenous Corporation their aim was to campaign against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault using a visual display that would allow members of the community to become involved in assisting them in educating against domestic violence while the rest of the community are able to view their promotional messages and designs.

“Entries closed on Friday 28th October and our very deserving winners were announced on Tuesday 1st November. Our two talented winners were Bourke locals, Laken and Samara Kelly. They each received a $200 voucher for their excellent effort in designing shirts that display both empowering and positive messages campaigning against Domestic Violence”, Ms McNulty said.

A collage of the winning entries displays a powerful image of a hand covering the mouth of a female, signifying forced silence. Across the hand is written a number of messages, It’s all your fault, It won’t happen again, Shut up, Nobody will love you, I love you and Stay silent. Surrounding this image are additional messages calling for the end of domestic and sexual violence.

The 2022 BOCSAR presentation, released in May 2022, Domestic and Family Violence in NSW, An Aboriginal Focus states that the volume of domestic violence is largely in regional and rural areas, where the victim and offender are both aboriginal. Most aboriginal women victims have a prior experience of DFV victimisation reported to police in the last 10 years. Criminal proceedings commenced against a perpetrator for 75% of reported incidences against adult female aboriginal victims. Almost one in four aboriginal adults in remand had DFV assault as their most serious charge.

Across the Western Plains, during 2020 to 2022 the number of Breach Apprehended Violence Orders have been steadily increasing for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous offenders.

Ms McNulty said “Thiyama-li’s main focus is on the increasing number of Domestic Violence related Assaults and Sexual Offences in our community."

The sexual assault related offences in our community have also increased significantly.

Bourke-based agencies have been very active in providing support, programs and services for men, women and children, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.

Many of these services and programs cover Early Intervention and Prevention Education and most provide support for those that have been a victim of Domestic Violence and/or Sexual Assault.

Thiyama-li Family Violence Service Indigenous Corporation provides court support for victims of Domestic and Family Violence and/or Sexual Assault.

"We also assist with Victims Support and Immediate Needs applications through Victims Services NSW, provide legal assistance and/or advice around Family Law, Child Protection and Child Recovery, Counselling, Provide Early Intervention and Prevention Programs and provide support and assistance with ADVO applications," Ms McNulty said.

Catholic Care in Bourke run a women’s safe house, a Family and Relationships Service, as well as a Homelessness and Domestic and Family Violence Program.

Maranguka Community Hub provides a family referral service and runs the Save our Sons and Save our Sisters programs.

Birrang Enterprise provides the Picking up the Pieces Program and are Providers of Intensive Family Focuses Case Management.

“On behalf of Thiyama-li Family Violence Service Indigenous Corporation we wish to once again, congratulate our winners and thank all entrants for their hard work and dedication in assisting us to educate our communities to try and put an end to Domestic Violence,” Ms McNulty said.

There is never an excuse for domestic violence. 

If you or someone you know is at risk or experiencing DFV, help is available. Free call the NSW Domestic Violence Helpline on 1800 65 64 63. Calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days aweek.

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on 000.