Walgett shire has become an outlier amongst its fellow communities - and the state - as reports of domestic violence show a 66 per cent rise of incidents in the last two years. 

Crime rate reports have rarely shone a great light on Western Plains communities, but revealed some of the challenges that outer regional and remote locations are constantly trying to reconcile. 

The latest report from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), which tracks criminal activity and trends in every LGA across NSW, is disappointingly, not much different. 

In Walgett shire, the rate of Domestic Violence Related Assault has increased by 66.4 per cent over the last two years, three times the average rate in the Far West and Orana district.

In the Western Plains, it is followed by Bourke shire, which has seen an increase of up to 34.9 per cent over the last two years. In the same vein, the rate of Stalking, Intimidation & Harrassment in Bourke has increased by 58.3% over 2 years.

These figures contrast with other western plains communities from Brewarrina to Lachlan and Warrumbungle shires have shown stable rates of domestic violence over two- and five year periods.

Senior Policy Officer at Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW) Bridget Mottram said that Walgett’s status as having one of the highest rates of homelessness in NSW is a factor. 

“These factors, combined with alcohol abuse within the Community, have resulted in a rise in non-intimate partner violence in particular, with children perpetrating violence against their parents being of heightened concern,” Ms Mottram said. 

Is the shadow pandemic still at play?

This month marks two years since Covid-19 lockdowns ended, a time which was labelled as the shadow pandemic, with high rates of domestic violence an expected side effect of families reducing their time out of the house and away from offending family members. 

Despite the two year gap, the report indicates that it's in the two years since those lockdowns that domestic violence in Walgett has reached new levels. 

“The ripple effects from the pandemic will be a factor for many years to come,” Ms Mottram said. 

It’s a known issue in NSW, and authorities have implemented several rounds of funding, programs and campaigns to combat the rising issue, from reporting apps to police crackdowns.

Ms Mottram said that areas like Walgett aren’t the focus they need to be. 

“While there are many initiatives, programs, and funding announcements across the country, they can often be metropolitan-focused, with there being a significant lack of those programs and funding initiatives reaching our most remote communities.”

“Many of these initiatives are also funded as pilots or for the short-term, which is why DVNSW strongly advocates for long-term funding and contracts for specialist DFV services and programs, so clients can have confidence that their support worker is going to be there when they need them,” she said.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence help can be found via:

• 1800RESPECT or 1800 737 732 which offers a national counselling helpline, information and support

• NSW Domestic Violence Line 1800 65 64 63 which offers a state-wide counselling helpline, information and support

• Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491 for men, or friends and family of men using violence

• National Violence and Abuse Trauma Counselling and Recovery Service on 1800 FULL STOP (1800 385 578) or online for 24/7, free, confidential counselling.