A state educator against violence and physical abuse has called on men to step up and take an active role in changing the face of what he calls an horrific problem which continues to grow bigger by the day.
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According to the latest figures from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics to June there were 406 persons protected by apprehended domestic violence orders in Dubbo 976.6 per 100,000 of population and 100 in Wellington 1104.5.
In the Far West and Orana Regions there were 1230 Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders granted, 1033 per rate of population of 100,000. Making the region the number one centre for domestic violence.
Ivan Clarke says men are the 'primary perpetrators'.
"There are greater degrees of accountability needed. Men are standing by and watching this happen. The effect is not just not on the victims but their families and then this affects the community," he said.
Mr Clarke said the tackling Domestic Violence program in Western NSW has begun to produce results.
"If you engage as a bystander in domestic violence, your team says we don't want you. It's an embarrassment to us and it affects profoundly on our children. They could be good children who play football and become ambassadors in our community but when they are exposed to this form of violence they will be anxious and hit out. There is a knock-on effect. It is shifting men's attitudes," he said.
Pam Greer, who leads the education centre against violence program and has been visiting Wellington over the pas three days, says men can step up and come to meetings at the Information and Neighbourhood Centre.
She wants mainstream providers, police and men to join the increasing amount of women who are telling their stories and wanting to do something about the critical issue.
"They can chose to say we are not happy about it. We want to be peaceful," she said.
Ms Greer says women are choosing a program called Weaving the Net because it's an open platform in a safe environment.
"We're telling you, you are not alone. There is hope we can get results, outcomes and a delivery of services which the community can work for. If we haven't got hope, we haven't got anything," she said.
The headlines grow bigger everyday she says.
"We had a lot of women's deaths around domestic violence, every day we do, those are mothers and children are involved. It's getting worse and its everybody's business."
