THE Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre has purchased the 1800 telephone number previously allocated to the Inspiration House domestic violence counselling service in an effort to better assist the victims of family and relationship abuse.
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The action follows complaints about incorrect contact details in the Dubbo telephone directory and internet websites.
The 2015/16 phone book and a range of websites provide two disconnected numbers for the Dubbo Domestic Violence Counselling Service and indicate assistance can be obtained at 35 Bultje Street, the premises previously occupied by Inspiration House - a now defunct organisation that offered support, crisis housing and counselling for women fleeing domestic violence.
Inspiration House was forced to close following a change in government funding allocations.
The tender to provide domestic violence counselling services was obtained by Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre at 1/80 Gipps Street.
Women's refuge and housing services were allocated to Orana Support Service, which is also based at Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre.
A woman who was hospitalised following domestic abuse in a rural area near Dubbo said she was distraught when the counselling support numbers listed in capitals and bold type in the phone book proved to be useless.
The 6882 7331 Dubbo number and 1800 111 362 free call number were answered by a recorded message stating 'Your call could not be connected, please check the number'.
"Uncertain of where else to obtain assistance I jumped on the internet and searched websites which directed to me the vacant premises once operated by Inspiration House," the woman said.
"I tried other support organisations in Dubbo and was again given the disconnected phone numbers.
"In desperation I contacted the Dubbo Hospital on the weekend in an attempt to obtain help. I was staggered when the staff member on the other end of the phone responded by saying 'What do you expect me to do?'.
"I felt alone, frightened and uncertain. I had been asleep on the couch when my partner of three years came home and started yelling and physically assaulting me.
"I was punched and choked and learned the hard way that a full bottle of beer can be a very good missile when it is thrown at the back of your leg.
"My head was bashed into a wooden door jamb and forced inside a refrigerator as the shelves were thrown onto the floor. I was hit in the head with frozen meat and a container of frozen lasagne.
"I felt my knees buckle as I was grabbed around the neck and stopped myself from falling. I was determined to save myself and gouged my attacker's face with my left hand."
The woman ran out of the house and contacted police. She is now waiting to start a series of counselling sessions organised with the help of her general practitioner.
In a statement to the Daily Liberal, Western NSW?Local Health District director of operations Lindsey Gough said: "Dubbo Health Service is committed to providing appropriate assistance to anyone who makes contact, whether by phone or in person.
"We cannot comment on details around specific phone calls made to staff, particularly when a significant period of time has passed."
The woman has also obtained assistance from the 1800 RESPECT national domestic violence counselling service.
"I felt the need to speak out about what happened to me and the trouble I have had accessing support services locally," she said.
"It is frightening that domestic violence has killed 42 Australian women so far this year and that Dubbo is ranked as the 12th worse location for domestic violence assault in NSW.
"Services for domestic violence victims should be easier to find and the phone numbers for counselling services listed in the phone book and printed on community service brochures should be correct.
Western Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services chairman Tina Reynolds agrees.
"I don't blame this woman for being very upset," Ms Reynolds said.
"Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre provides counselling services for domestic violence victims but you have to know that to go there.
"To have disconnected phone numbers listed in the phone book and on out-of-date websites is very poor and needs to be addressed straight away.
"I can't understand why a diversion has not been placed on the old domestic violence counselling service phone numbers to connect victims straight through to the new service at the Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre."
Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre manager Debbie Todkill said her staff had been assisting domestic violence victims since January, even though the contract to run the Dubbo Domestic Violence Counselling Service did not come into effect until July 1.
"We have done everything we can to make things as easy as possible for domestic violence victims," she said.
"The Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre has no control over what is printed in the phone book or on websites that are not connected to our organisation.
"Our websites were updated and we printed new brochures about the domestic violence counselling service. The brochures have been distributed to medical practices and a range of community services organisations in and around Dubbo.
"Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre staff followed that up by personally contacting medical surgeries and community organisations to explain the services we now offer for people experiencing domestic violence.
"We have purchased the 1800 111 362 telephone number previously owned by Inspiration House. It has been quite an involved process but we have been told the number will be available to us within three to five working days."
Ms Todkill said it was very unfortunate that a domestic violence victim experienced such difficultly accessing help in Dubbo.
"The good news is that she is now receiving the assistance she requires," Ms Todkill said.
"I would be very happy to meet with this woman to discuss her situation.
"I urge anyone seeking assistance to contact the Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre by telephoning 6882 2100 or calling to see us at 1/80 Gipps Street.
Western NSW?Local Health District director of integrated primary care and partnerships, Julie Cooper, urged people to contact the proper authorities if they had been affected by domestic violence.
"In an emergency situation, domestic violence victims should call the police and if injured attend the emergency department for appropriate treatment and care," Ms Cooper said.
"Dubbo Health Service provides acute and emergency care to victims of domestic violence as required through the emergency department."