The $485,000 funding package will allow Housing Plus to rent three properties as crisis accommodation for women and their children and implement a Staying Home Leaving Violence program where perpetrators are forced to leave the house and “beefed up” security measures are put in the home. 

While Housing Plus CEO Karen Andrew said ideally Orange needed a women’s crisis centre for victims and their children, the announcement was an “important day” for Orange.

“With 1400 referrals in the past financial year, three properties isn’t going to scratch the surface but it will help,” she said. 

“It’s a great leap forward it’s just so pleasing to have the support of the minister and leadership of [Member for Orange] Andrew Gee.”

Mr Gee said the announcement would help bridge the gap in the provision of crisis accommodation because previously single women had access to a refuge but could not take children with them. 

“I should stress that finding crisis accommodation is only part of the solution here if you want a long term solution to the problem you’ve got to drop the rates of domestic violence,” Mr Gee said. 

Mr Hazzard said Orange had an unacceptably high rate of domestic violence and the funding announcement was only part of the solution. 

“There needs to be a lot more done in Orange ... the problem is huge, we have to attack the problem,” he said.

Mr Hazzard said he and Mr Gee would lobby for more funding to come to Orange and he hoped yesterday’s package “would not be the only announcement”.

According to the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research there were 297 domestic assaults in the Orange local government area in the 12 months to September last year.

Orange ranks as the 21st most violent region behind Bourke at number one, Dubbo 14th and Forbes 15th, based on per capita assessments.

Orange is ranked second in the western region for domestic assaults behind Dubbo and in front of Walgett and Bathurst. 

Mr Gee said he did not know why Orange had a relatively high rate of domestic assaults but the community needed to work together to fight the scourge. 

The three properties will be funded for two years and operational by July.

Victims can stay for three months, have access to an on-call staff member and is designed to assist victims regain their independence. 

However the accommodation was not suitable for women who were deemed at risk of death or injury, Ms Andrew said other arrangements were needed for these women because Housing Plus “could not guarantee their safety” in the rental properties. 

nicole.kuter@fairfaxmedia.com.au