SERVICES providing support for victims of domestic violence (DV) say referral numbers over the Christmas / New Year period have been the biggest they've ever seen.
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Housing Plus, which provides emergency housing amongst its many services, said the last few months have seen a significant increase in DV reports being made.
In November 2020, there were 392 referrals for assistance, of which 83 were from Bathurst and 103 from Orange.
The remainder came from across the Central West including Cabonne, Blayney, Lithgow, Parkes, Cowra, Forbes and smaller towns.
In December there were 347 referrals, of which 96 were from Bathurst and 87 from Orange.
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Penny Dordoy, head of Community Services with Housing Plus said demand on the city's domestic violence resources has never been greater, with service providers were "inundated with work over Christmas."
She said the spike over summer and Christmas was probably related to alcohol consumption in the home.
"Families come together (at Christmas), and while for some that is a really good thing for others it is a really trying time."
Ms Dordoy said Christmas also puts more pressure on families and, coupled with the financial strain of Christmas, the end result is, sadly, an increase in domestic violence incidents.
"All domestic violence service providers are extremely busy at the moment," Ms Dordoy said during a visit to Housing Plus' crisis accommodation, which is currently under construction in Bathurst.
"The combination of Christmas, the intensity of COVID, has put so much strain on all DV services."
She said during COVID, women have had to stay in the home with perpetrators, and not had the outlets they would typically be able to access.
"During the year support groups which would normally have run have not been operating due to COVID restraints, meaning women and children have been in the home with perpetrators. Men have used COVID to keep women with them," she said.
Ms Dordoy said it was a hotbed service providers have had to address.
"In November across the Central West we received almost 400 referrals for women and children experiencing domestic violence; it's the most we've ever seen."
She said at any one time there were up to 20 families seeking support, and said it was vital victims continued to speak up and seek support.
"We want all DV victims to report, if we are doing our job right there will be more reports of DV."
