SURVIVORS of domestic and family violence across the Hunter are being put at further risk by perpetrators breaching protection orders, experts say.
Statistics released by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) on Wednesday reveal the alarming amount of Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs) being broken across the state.
Domestic AVOs are made in court to protect people from violence, threats and harassment from a spouse, partner, ex, family member or someone living in the same house; personal AVOs are for protection from anyone else.
In the 12 months to June 2024, police proceeded with 483 domestic AVO breaches in the Newcastle local government area (LGA).
There were 632 recorded in Lake Macquarie, which was the sixth highest number for LGAs across the state, beaten only by Sydney suburbs and the Central Coast.
The rate of domestic AVO breaches per 100,000 people in NSW was 297.4, but in Newcastle it was more than 315, and in Port Stephens it was 372.5.
Lisa Ronneberg, regional collaborations coordinator for the Hunter Domestic and Family Violence Consortium, said those numbers were concerning because there would have already been an incident if an AVO was in place.
"It's clearly putting someone who has already experienced domestic and family violence at further risk," she said.
"So that's a pretty horrible story for people that live in the Hunter region.
"It's just this continuation of perpetual abuse ... it's horrible and it's insidious."
She said it was important to remember the human toll behind the statistics.
"We really do need to look at what we can be doing to prevent that from happening, and really, what's going on in our region," she said.
"This is what the police know ... there are probably higher rates of breaches of AVOs."
There were 946 domestic AVOs commenced in Newcastle in the 12 months to June 2024, 1140 in Lake Macquarie and 641 in Port Stephens.
The year before, there were 979 in Newcastle, 1133 in Lake Macquarie and 570 in Port Stephens.
Ms Ronneberg said "unfortunately, it's not surprising" to see domestic violence assault numbers laid bare in the latest data.
The Hunter Valley - excluding Newcastle - had the fourth highest rate of domestic violence assaults in NSW per 100,000 people in the 12 months to June 2024. At 696.3, it was one-and-a-half times the state average.
The rate in Newcastle was 434.5.
The two-year trend in both areas was stable, but the 10-year trend showed an increase of five per cent in the Hunter Valley and 1.7 per cent in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
"We really need to look at regional NSW and what support is available to victim-survivors of domestic and family violence," Ms Ronneberg said.
She said services across the Hunter had consistently been calling for more funding as they grapple with a higher demand, and support for police in regional NSW needed to be questioned.
"This is not something that is going away ... we're talking thousands of people in the Hunter who are loving every day with domestic and family violence," she said.
"I think as a region and a community, and looking at all levels of government who represent our communities, we really need to do more."
Ms Ronneberg said services spoke to candidates before the Newcastle council election and she hoped the new council would continue to engage on how to prevent domestic and family violence.
"Everybody has a role to play, a whole of community approach is needed," she said.
Anyone experiencing domestic or family violence in any form should report it to the police immediately and access support. If someone is breaching an AVO, report it to the police.
- Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; MensLine 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732.
