Hundreds of domestic violence victims every year in Fairfield
A WOMAN who was repeatedly stabbed in Fairfield last week is the latest of hundreds of domestic violence victims in the suburb over the past year.
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A FAIRFIELD woman became one of hundreds of domestic assault victims last week.
The 53-year-old was taken to hospital in a critical condition after her husband, 59, allegedly stabbed her repeatedly in their Polding St home.
The man was charged with attempted murder and grievous bodily harm and has been refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on October 4.
The woman is recovering in hospital from a number of serious stab wounds, which are not considered life-threatening.
She is one of more than 700 domestic violence victims in Fairfield since April last year.
Bureau of Crime Statistics figures reveal that Fairfield has the 10th highest rate of domestic violence incidents in metropolitan Sydney and has the 77th highest rate across NSW.
Fairfield police crime manager Ed Walsh said domestic violence remains one of NSW Police’s biggest challenges.
“Police wish to reassure victims that police can protect you and your family,” Det Insp Walsh said.
“We will investigate and prosecute any report of domestic violence to the full extent of the law.”
Bonnie Support Services is an all-female not-for-profit support service that has worked with women and children in Sydney’s southwest for more than 40 years.
Executive officer Tracy Phillips said some progress had been made in the fight against the insidious scourge of domestic violence.
“This year fewer women have been killed in a domestic violence situation than this time last year,” Ms Phillips said.
“It’s hard to measure whether we are eradicating domestic violence but I’d like to think we are having an impact.”
Ms Phillips said power and control was at the heart of domestic violence, regardless of contributing factors such as stress levels and poverty.
“The majority of domestic violence victims are women and children,” Ms Phillips said.
“The underlying cause is really men’s failure to respect women and treat them appropriately — they abuse their own power.”
Bonnie’s provides services for women including emergency housing, group programs, court support, counselling and other psychological services.
“Whether there is enough of those resources is another question,” Ms Phillips said.
“As we grow and gain staff, we find those resources get taken up very quickly as more people are in need.”
Ms Phillips urged women who found themselves in crisis to reach out.
“Get help,” Ms Phillips said.
“You can call the Domestic Violence Hotline, and then they can refer you onto the relevant services to get you the assistance you need.”
Det Insp Walsh said victims or witnesses of domestic violence should call 000 in urgent situations.
Shocking DV rates in Australia
Otherwise, victims and witnesses can call or attend their local police stations in Fairfield, Wetherill Park, or Cabramatta.
“There is also the Family and Community Services Domestic Violence line,” Det Insp Walsh said.
“Anyone who is experiencing domestic violence or knows someone who is can call for help on 1800 656 463.”
The Domestic Violence Line is a statewide free-call number available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Sydney’s worst 10 suburbs for domestic violence
1. Blacktown (27th in NSW)
2. Campbelltown (35th in NSW)
3. Penrith (37th in NSW)
4. Sydney (48th in NSW)
5. Liverpool (49th in NSW)
6. Bankstown (57th in NSW)
7. Parramatta (66th in NSW)
8. Rockdale (72nd in NSW)
9. Hurstville (75th in NSW)
10. Fairfield (77th in NSW)
Domestic violence rates across NSW:
1. Moree Plains
2. Walgett
3. Coonamble
4. Glen Innes Severn
5. Wellington
6. Cobar
7. Griffith
8. Bogan
9. Broken Hill
10. Parkes
The stats are from BOCSAR in April 2017.
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