Regional providers of Domestic Violence support services have welcomed the announcement of new funding to expand a program already benefiting several families in Western Plains areas affected by Domestic Violence (DV).

Under a new announcement from the state government earlier this month, the Staying Home Leaving Violence program - which aims to help victim-survivors of DV stay in their own homes - will receive an injection of almost $20 million in funding over the next four years.

Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the funding will mean the program will be expanded from its 33 existing locations to reach 70 locations across the state, focusing on areas with a higher high demand for local support, which will include new Western Plains LGAs

“In trying to escape a violent situation, women and children who have suffered at the hands of domestic violence often find themselves having to leave the family home and move away from their crucial network of family and friends,” Mrs Ward said.

“The Staying Home Leaving Violence program turns that around, allowing women and children to stay safely and heal in their own home, while the perpetrator is removed.

“We are expanding this important program and this funding will now be going to 28 service providers, who do incredible work to help victim-survivors, to expand their geographical reach to support more women.”

According to Mrs Ward, the program works in cooperation with NSW Police to remove DV perpetrators from the family home and support victim-survivors to remain safely in the home.

Services available through the program itself include improving home security, help in managing finances, support for children and helping with complicated legal processes.

Among the areas already covered by the program are the Coonamble and Walgett shires, which are managed by Mission Australia.

The program is relatively new to the Western Plains area, first being introduced in 2019, however Mission Australia Program Manager Tanya Molloy said it had been a massive help to local victim-survivors of DV.

“It’s only been in Coonamble a few years, but it’s been fantastic to support domestic and family violence victims-survivors in terms of safety and providing information to the community,” Ms Molloy said.

“It’s also evolving constantly because it’s still a relatively new program compared to others out here.

When asked for her thoughts on the program’s success at a local level, Ms Molloy said it had been “extremely effective”.

“For those we’ve been able to connect with and support (through the program), we’ve seen some really fantastic outcomes,” she said.

“While security is at the forefront, we also provide that connection to counselling and ensuring children aren’t disrupted and can still access school.

“We provide confidence and support to make these huge steps. In the cycle of DV, it’s sometimes two steps forward and then something happens which makes them take a couple of steps back but we’re there for them the entire time.”

According to Minister for Western NSW Dugald Saunders the existing program delivery sites in Coonamble and Walgett will be expanded to include the Brewarrina and Warrumbungle Local Government Areas, with services to be provided by Mission Australia.

“New locations were determined from analysis of data about DFV incidents rates (sourced from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research), and in consultation with SHLV service providers,” Mr Saunders said.

For Ms Molloy, she said, in her opinion, coverage in central and far-west NSW areas was vital.

“These areas, at times, do miss out on a number of services, so to support them would be great,” she said.