The 2016 NSW Budget provided $7.8 million for the rollout of Safer Pathway to 19 new sites in 2016-2017. 

In Orange 1570 women were referred to the service in the first year of a pilot that began in September 2014.

Domestic violence is a major concern in the Orana region with local government areas ranking among the worst hotspots in NSW.

Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre (DNC) manager Debbie Todkill said there was a definite need for Safer Pathway in the local area.

“I would love to see Dubbo have access to this new project,” she said.

“At present our domestic violence counsellors have had such a big demand for services that we now have waiting lists.

“I will do all in my power to ensure that Dubbo gets some of the announced funding to help with the demand.”

As the budget was handed down last week, NSW Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Pru Goward said Safer Pathway would be rolled out across NSW over four years, subject to the successful evaluation of pilot sites, which would be completed in 2017.

Planning was underway and the 19 new sites would be announced in due course, Ms Goward said.

Safer Pathway was first trialled at Orange and Waverley and in 2015 Bankstown, Broken Hill, Parramatta and Tweed Heads were added.

At the pilot sites, all agencies and local service providers team up to work on a safety action plan for women.

Police, domestic violence workers, counsellors and non-government service providers all meet fortnightly to discuss each victim’s case.

It prevents survivors from having to repeat their story or being passed from agency to agency.

As at 2015 Safer Pathway local coordination points were being hosted by the Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services for female victims, and Victims Services NSW was providing a response for male victims.

The 2016 budget investment in specialist domestic violence initiatives doubled to more than $300 million over four years