Those seeking domestic violence counselling at the Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre have to be placed on a wait list, due to the overwhelming need for the service.
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The DNC introduced face-to-face and telephone counselling for women who have experience domestic and family violence last year.
It’s offered to women from Dubbo, Wellington, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Nyngan and Warren.
From July to December 2015, the DNC had 783 total occasions of service for domestic violence counselling. In the first half of 2016, that increased to 4167.
The rate of domestic violence in Dubbo is almost twice the NSW average, according to the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.
In Wellington, is 2.8 times greater than the average, while in Coonamble it’s 3.7 times higher.
Speaking to Dubbo Regional Council, DNC board member Tina Reynolds said the team had provided care and support to numerous families and individuals.
“Integration and referrals has helped with the value adding to these projects in utilising and sharing resources and skills which improves the quality output to clients,” Ms Reynolds said.
The projects also fit comfortably with service provider Orana Support Services, she said.
There were 54,255 occasions of service from the DNC between January and June. Of those, 4,355 were for OSS.
The organisation runs a range of programs and supports adults and families at risk of homelessness.
Aboriginal family health had 5,263 contacts during the six months, settlement service had 5,690, and the community activities program has 4,240.
Community transport, which was always a popular service at the centre has ceased after the funding ended, but Ms Reynolds said the centre was committed to running an unfunded trial.
The trial will run until July.
“The service will be open to all the community and at this stage will be relying on volunteer help as well as one full time driver,” Ms Reynolds said.
Between July 1, and when the funding for the initiative ceased on December 6, the Dubbo Community Transport Scheme provided 14,492 passenger trips and travelled 140,064 kilometres within Dubbo and the region.
Since January, the DNC has also increased their out-of-school hours care from two centres to five.
Dubbo North After School Care will be opening in Term 3, bringing the total up to six.
There were 12,825 occasions of service across the five current locations, with students enrolling from across 13 primary schools.
In total 217 families used the service during the six month period.