Services on hand to combat rising domestic violence numbers

The Macarthur region continues to grapple with the scourge of domestic violence with the latest numbers revealing the number of incidents has risen in the past 12 months.

Representatives from the Macarthur Legal Centre and other services which provide help for victims of domestic violence. Picture: Robert Pozo

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The Macarthur region continues to grapple with the scourge of domestic violence.

Statistics recorded by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research show incidents of domestic violence have risen in Campbelltown to 930 in 2018, up from 804 in the previous year.

Camden Police Area Command, covering the Wollondilly and Camden LGAs, saw the number rise from 475 in 2017 to 541 in 2018.

But for women seeking to escape a domestic violence situation, a range of services across the region are providing support to victims of domestic violence.

Tanya Whitehouse has supported dozens of victims of domestic violence. Picture: Jenny Evans

Tanya Whitehouse runs the Macarthur Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services which provides support and advice for women experiencing issues in domestic violence.

Ms Whitehouse said the service regularly refers women out to a network of services across the region.

“We’re one of the first ports of call for women experiencing domestic violence,” she said.

“In the Macarthur region there are numerous services for general, aboriginal, multicultural and youth.

“We refer women out to the services which can best help them.”

There is a range of services in the area which provide domestic violence-related support. Picture: Simon Bullard

Sana Al-Ahmar and her team at Macarthur Diversity Services Initiative offer language and cultural support to women fleeing domestic violence from different cultural and language backgrounds.

“We work with all the domestic violence services in the area,” she said.

“They feel comfortable with us because they can speak with someone in their native language.

“Some women who find themselves in a domestic violence situation who are new arrivals and they may not know what is available to them or they are fearful of coming forward because they are concerned about their Visa.”

Other domestic violence services in the area include the WILMA Women’s Health Centre, Baptist Care Domestic Violence Accommodation Services, Macarthur Case Management Services, the Benevolent Society and Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation.