WHITE Ribbon Day yesterday was the catalyst for Orange to reflect on its poor record of domestic violence, which is more than double the state average.
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“When you consider only one in three women report domestic assaults in New South Wales, Orange’s statistics could be higher,” NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research director Don Weatherburn told the Central Western Daily.
Mr Weatherburn said between July 1, 2013 and June 30 this year, 312 domestic-related assaults were reported to Orange police.
Inspector Bruce Grassick said domestic violence was now a strong focus for the Canobolas Local Area Command, and he hoped new strategies would help curb the level of domestic violence in Orange.
“It is a priority and is at the core of our police work now,” he said.
Acting crime manager Yonneka Hill said Orange police were working hard with agencies to curb the level of domestic violence and protect and support women and families living with domestic violence.
She said a new pilot program launched in Orange - one of only two in the state - would enhance the ability of police to identify future harm to a victim through automatic online referrals to support agencies.
“Since last month we have been hosting a safety action meeting which aims to prevent domestic violence-related deaths, injury and disability,” Detective acting Inspector Hill said.
Central West Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services manager Penny Dordoy said while the local statistics were “glum”, Orange was throwing everything it had at the problem of domestic violence in the city.
Ms Dordoy said last year the service helped 117 women obtain apprehended domestic violence orders and made 110 referrals to other services to ensure the social, welfare and legal needs of victims were met.
She said the rolling out of the new pilot program in Orange by the NSW government brings together government and non-government agencies to ensure the safety of domestic violence victims.
“The ultimate goal is to avoid a domestic violence-related homicide in Orange,” she said.
Last year Operation Courage, one of the many advocacy services in Orange, helped 76 clients in crisis and provided 16 families with accommodation amounting to 1455 bed nights.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the domestic violence local co-ordination point on 6361 1999.