Wednesday 7 May was National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day.

National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day commemorates the lives tragically and unjustly lost due to domestic violence.

Across Australia, people held vigils and other events to honour the memory of victims and raise awareness about domestic violence (DV).

Sadly, a number of western plains communities commonly occupy the top of the table when it comes to rates of DV incidents per head of population so the risk to life is often front of mind.

The Far West and Orana region is more than three times above the NSW average for domestic violence-related incidents.

Over the past ten years there has been a 3.5% increase in domestic-violence related assaults in regional NSW. 

The following table (with data sourced from BOCSAR) shows the number of reported domestic violence assaults in Western Plains App LGAs last year:

Walgett was the highest ranked LGA in the state for domestic violence incidents per capita last year.

Dylan Crawley, Mission Australia Program Manager in Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Nyngan and Warren, says early intervention and community awareness are key aspects of preventing domestic violence.

"Teaching messaging around healthy relationships with children and youth is essential."

Mr Crawley adds that continued community awareness around domestic violence is also crucial, and further funding, especially in rural and regional areas would help victim-survivors and their families.

He points to the Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program as a beneficial community program that has been running in Coonamble since 2019.

The SHLV, aims to allow women and children to stay safely in their own home and within their community, while the perpetrator is removed.

Member of the Coonamble DV Collective on National DV Remembrance Day.

The NSW Government also funds the Core and Cluster model which provides short-term crisis accommodation for women and children who are escaping family violence.

Core and Cluster facilities are self-contained accommodation units (clusters) near communal facilities (core).

As well as a safe place to stay, they offer access to counselling, legal assistance, education, employment support and child-friendly spaces.

Minister for Women, Seniors, and the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison, released a statement this morning, honouring victim-survivors and pledging that the state Government would take meaningful action on domestic violence.

"The stain of domestic violence is felt across every community in our state and as a Government we genuinely understand our responsibility to take ongoing, meaningful action to build a safer New South Wales," said Ms Harrison.

"Too many lives have been lost, and too many families have been broken, because of domestic and family violence.

"Today, we re-affirm our commitment to work with experts, stakeholders, community members, victim survivors and across party lines to address domestic and family violence in New South Wales."

 A tribute to victims of domestic violence. 103 women and 16 children were lost to violence in 2024.

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

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you can call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.