Hunter Region Plagued by Domestic Violence

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

The Hunter's shameful domestic violence figures have been released from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research with White Ribbon Day just around the corner.

According to the figures, domestic assault rates in Cessnock, Maitland and Muswellbrook sit in the top 25% of the state. The areas are also listed as the 22nd, 32nd and 34th worst areas across NSW.
Over the past year, more than 400 incidents were recorded in Maitland alone with figures showing a 1.6% increase in assaults each year for the past 5 years.

Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey spoke at today's Hunter White Ribbon Breakfast and says perpetrators aren't the only problem, bystanders also play a role.

"If you have a mate that you suspect is perpetrating domestic violence against their partner, you are not being a mate by remaining silent. You need to ring the police before you may witness your friend be responsible for a murder."

He says police are currently working on a range of new initiatives to target perpetrators and to truly tackle this issue, announcing the arrival of the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme.

"I can announce that as of the 25th of November the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme is in place, where no matter what state you're in, domestic violence orders are binding. [This] will certainly help with perpetrator behaviour and if there needs to be an order that was taken out in another state varied, that can now be done here so that's an exciting tool for us."

The Superintendent also listed AVO compliance checks, the Suspect Targeting Management Plan (STMP) and electronic monitoring of offenders as further measures which could help reduce the growing trend of domestic violence. 

Image: [MyPolice QLD]

Newcastle Council Partnering with Got Your Back Sista for the Newcastle 500

BY JESICA ROUSE

Newcastle City Council has chosen to partner with a local domestic violence charity ahead of the Newcastle 500 to raise some much needed funds.

Got Your Back Sista is dedicated to helping women who have experienced the trauma of domestic violence. Their vision is to see women and their children happy, thriving and living independently after escaping the trauma of domestic violence.

Newcastle Council selected the charity as the first partnership for the inaugural event after 1,300 staff went around and spoke to the community about the issues they felt most strongly about. The issue was domestic violence against women.

Newcastle Councillors with Melissa Histon
 and Mark Winterbottom on the Newcastle 500 track.

Got Your Back Sista will be promoted at Saturday's Supercars event at a VIP lunch, as well as with founder Melissa Histon addressing the audience.

Melissa said it will be great to raise some money they can use to buy furniture and household items for women who have had to leave a violent home and start again.

"At the end of the day we wish that we didn't have to exist, we wish there was no violence but the sad problem is that domestic violence is a problem in our region and we really need to get the message out there that domestic violence is never acceptable and it's not alright," said Melissa.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said this is just the beginning of a number of events and partnerships to come in the future.

"It's been an initiative of many of the staff at Newcastle City Council led by our CEO to actually look at how they can better volunteer their time and work and support local charities."

Fellow councillors are in agreeance that the Supercars event is a great opportunity to support White Ribbon Day and Got Your Back Sista.

"There are two big events on Friday, the first is Supercars, the second is the White Ribbon Breakfast. This money will go to helping people who have already suffered from domestic violence but the White Ribbon is all about prevention, its all about a message to men that domestic violence is not acceptable," said Councillor John Church.

2015 Supercars Champion Mark Winterbottom is also happy to announce one of his sponsors Brut is donating $100,000 to White Ribbon Day as well over the next 12 months.

"If you can change one perosn's life that's a massive thing. Speak up and obviously, there's lots of support out there through these organisations. It's great that Brut has chosen them as a charity, it's a very manly product but its out there portraying the right message," said Mark.