The majority of domestic violence incidents reported to Nyngan police in the past year did not involve actual physical violence, according to Darling River Local Area Command (LAC)’s Sergeant Tony Wood.
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The crime is rife in Nyngan and surrounds with police working proactively with community services to stem the problem.
It comes as the community prepares to oppose violence against women at a White Ribbon Day at O’Reilly Park on Friday, November 24.
“There is a misconception in the community that domestic violence must be physical abuse, but in reality it is any behaviour that causes the victim to be fearful, for example controlling behaviour, emotional abuse – stalking, withholding financial support and preventing contact with friends and family,” Sergeant Wood said.
There is a misconception in the community that domestic violence must be physical abuse, but in reality it is any behaviour that causes the victim to be fearful ...
- Sergeant Tony Wood
“Sometimes people believe that what they are dealing with isn’t bad enough to be considered domestic violence because they haven’t been physically injured, but that’s not the case.”
Sergeant Wood said it was usual for investigating police to issue an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) to protect the victim if it was considered necessary. In urgent cases this could be affected immediately by the police and later ratified in court, or else imposed after a court hearing.
Sergeant Wood said an AVO didn’t necessarily mean the parties had to live apart or not see each other, but rather each AVO could be “tailored” to a particular situation. One of the more successful tailoring options has been one where the offender is prohibited from being around the partner within 12 hours of drinking alcohol. An AVO is not a criminal record unless the offender breaches the conditions. Once an AVO is in place, police monitor the situation with home visits and regular check-ins.
Friday’s White Ribbon Day will start at about 10.30am and will include footy drills, a sausage sizzle, an information stand and face painting.
