People determined to make a dent in the spiralling rates of domestic violence in rural communities are being drawn to Narromine this Friday 28 November.

A new symposium shining light on domestic violence in small towns will be held in Narromine on Friday 28 November, off the back of increasing numbers of domestic violence incidents and the latest updates from NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).

The event is now officially sold out with over 150 people signed up to attend, signalling the level of determination to create on-the-ground change in western towns.

Orana and Far West had the highest rate per 100,000 population of domestic violence-related assaults in NSW in the year to June 2025 and CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes (organisers of the day) says this needs to be urgently addressed.

Domestic violence-related assaults In Orana and Far West, have occurred at more than three times the state rate per 100,000 population for at least the past two years, according to the BOCSAR’s report for the last quarter.

Speakers at the Hidden No More event include:

• The Hon. Stephen Lawrence MLC;
• Dr Hannah Tonkin, NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner;
• Jess Hill, author, professor, and investigative journalist;
• Superintendent Greg Moore who is Commander, Incident & Emergency Management centre for Sydney Police; and
• Magistrate Aaron Tang, Dubbo Local Court.

The three sessions of the day are expected to lay bare some deeper insights into the issue.

Dr Tonkin to speak about moving from awareness to action and shifting the national conversation on gender-based violence.

Supt Greg Moore will address 'the trap of coercive control', what we’ve learnt, and where policy must go.

Professor Jess Hill will look at specific challenges, risks and building trust in regional communities, while Magistrate Aaron Tang will cover strengthening justice including courts’ response to DV, doing better in Aboriginal communities and how men can be part of the solution.

CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Anne-Marie Mioche is hoping for lasting change as the outcome of the Hidden No More Symposium [Image CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes]

According to CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Anne-Marie Mioche, these leading voices and the frontline workers who attend aim to pinpoint the issues behind DV in our communities, in an attempt to drive lasting change.

“Levels of domestic violence continue to remain at unacceptable levels,” Ms Mioche said.

“Frontline workers are seeing firsthand what NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reporting shows.

"Towns in western NSW, such as Moree and Walgett, report domestic and family violence levels over five times the state average.

“Women in very remote areas experience assault-related hospitalisations at 43.1 times the rate of women in major cities (AIHW, 2022–23).

“Women and children have a right to live in safety and without fear.

“Domestic violence causes deep and long-lasting emotional, social and financial effects on victim-survivors, their families and wider communities.”

According to Ms Mioche the Hidden No More Symposium will bring together community leaders, sector workers and advocates including Plus Communities, Bunmabunmarra, Maranguka and Western NSW Community Legal Centre, whose insights and experience are key to achieving effective and lasting change.

“Domestic violence is preventable and the Hidden No More Symposium will bring the focus to the issue in regional and rural NSW, with a unified goal of improving the safety of women and children,” said Ms Mioche.

Stephen Lawrence MLC is a guest speaker and hopes to not only speak but to learn. [Image NSW Parliament]

Stephen Lawrence Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) said he is really looking forward to connecting with the attendees and other guest speakers.

“As a former specialist domestic violence prosecutor and former criminal defence lawyer at the Aboriginal legal service I have a lot of views and perspectives on domestic violence," he said.

“Since I have been in Parliament, I have been involved in a lot of the laws the government has passed in this area, which include changes to bail laws and expansion of refuge services.

“As an individual parliamentarian I have always tried to draw attention to things that happen at grassroot levels for this area, and this is an issue I have lots of views on and I am really looking forward to the opportunity to speak at the forum.

“I will be talking about the things the government has done but looking to learn more about what needs to be done and take that back to government.

“I note there are some eminent and interesting people attending that will have really good perspectives.

“I am looking forward to learning. It is such an acute area, we’ve got very high rates of domestic violence in western NSW, and this is a work in progress.

“There are no quick answers. It is a social problem we need to get on top of, to manage and contain but sadly there are no quick fixes,” said Mr Lawrence.

Dr Hannah Tonkin, Women’s Safety Commissioner, NSW Government, Communities and Justice says the symposium will bring together key players to address issues. [Image Department Communities and Justice]

Dr Hannah Tonkin, Women’s Safety Commissioner, NSW Government, Communities and Justice will speak on shifting the national conversation on gender-based violence.

‘While domestic, family and sexual violence is experienced by women throughout the state, there’s no question that those living in rural and regional NSW face additional challenges,” says Dr Tonkin.

“Compared to their metropolitan counterparts, women in rural and regional areas often encounter great barriers in accessing housing and specialist support services.

The Hidden No More Symposium will bring together key players from a range of sectors to discuss these challenges and identify opportunities to address them.

“United action from communities, specialist services and government will help accelerate action on domestic, family and sexual violence. I’m hopeful that the symposium will lead to some positive collaboration and meaningful change,” added Dr Tonkin.

“The event is already at full capacity, highlighting the collaborative and collegial commitment of regional frontline DFV service providers to drive meaningful, survivor-led change,” said CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Anne-Marie Mioche.