To coincide with White Ribbon Day on November 23, Superintendent Peter McKenna said police in the Western Region, lead by Orana Mid-Western Police District, had been targeting domestic violence offenders.

“We’ve made hundreds of arrests and charges over that time and saved that many victims it’s not funny. It is such a priority to us,” he said.

The rate of domestic-violence assaults in Dubbo is double the NSW average.

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Superintendent McKenna said domestic violence was the number one priority for police.

“Over the years people haven’t put enough emphasis on it being a high-level crime and that’s what it is, it’s nothing short of that. Police every day are attending domestic violence incidents where we see the worst of society,” he said.

Dubbo MP and Minister for Police Troy Grant has put out a warning for the “cowards” who commit domestic violence.

“If you’re a domestic violence offender, if you don’t have your dog on the leash, they’re going to get you for that. They’re going to target you and hold you to account until your domestic violence behaviour ceases,” he said.

Mr Grant said people who witness domestic violence often bore the scars for life.

“I’ve been bitten, spat on, punched, trying to intervene in domestic violence incidents and it’s just such a difficult environment to go into, it’s very challenging,” Mr Grant said.

“You can go and attend a domestic violence incident where the victim has called you, you arrive to do the job – and I’ve been attacked by the victim in order to try and mitigate her culpability in getting the partner in trouble. That’s how desperate they become.

“You don’t think ill of the victim, you feel sorry for them, but it’s very tough for the cops not only dealing with the offender, you’re also dealing with a victim who is traumatised.”

Superintendent McKenna said anyone who witnessed domestic violence or was the victim of assault should not hesitate to call police.