MOREE branch of the Country Women’s Association in July hosted a confronting forum dealing with domestic violence and coercive behaviour.
The forum brought together representatives from local welfare agencies and organisations as well as community members from across the district.
Guests included Moree mayor Mark Johnson, Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan, Moree Plains Shire councillor Mekayla Cochrane and Nicole Youngberry, from Centacare New England North-West’s Moree office.
Mayor Mark Johnson spoke about the alarming spike in the number of reported domestic violence incidents statewide.
“Domestic violence is a challenging and difficult subject, and it’s vital that events like this are held to try and find a way forward to reduce the awful, upward trend of domestic violence and coercive behaviour,” Mr Johnson said.
“Sadly, the statistics state this very criminal behaviour is on the rise. That in itself, is of grave concern.
“According to Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data, the last 12 months to March 2024, there were over 36,000 reported domestic assaults in New South Wales, an increase of 5.5 per cent year-on-year.
“There are more than 100 incidents every day . . . and these are the reported incidents,” Mr Johnson said.
“In our New England and north-west region the two-year trend for those crimes is up by 10.6 per cent.”
(from left) Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan, Moree Plains Shire councillor Mekayla Cochrane. CWA Moree branch president Joy Holmes and Moree Plains Shire mayor Mark Johnson (Image Copyright).
Member for Northern Tablelands, Brendan Moylan, said new coercive behaviour laws introduced on July 1 will hopefully curb the frightening statistics.
“Coercive control is now a criminal offence in New South Wales, which is a step in the right direction,” Mr Moylan said.
“What the statistics show, is that in serious domestic violence cases, 97 percent have a history of coercive control. The State Government, to its credit, has taken the step of criminalising coercive control.
“The government now has to try and make sure these coercive control laws work. They will be up for review in 2026 and hopefully by then we will start seeing some convictions through the local courts, because the statistics are very clear.
“Coercive control leads to domestic violence, so if we can stop it at the coercive control level, then maybe we can make some difference ,” Mr Moylan said.
The audience also heard about the Men’s Behaviour Change Program managed by Centacare New England North-West.
Manager Nicole Youngberry said Centacare was campaigning to see the program extended to the Moree district.
At present, clients travel to Gunnedah and Tamworth for the Men’s Behaviour Change Program.
“Unfortunately, the program is currently only funded to be delivered in Tamworth and Gunnedah, but we do offer a counselling service in Moree,” Ms Youngberry said.
“Not having MBCP in Moree is an issue we have raised on countless occasions, particularly given the alarming statistics for the Moree area. “This is something we will continue to advocate and campaign for, and we hope the State Government will expand their funding of MBCPs in the near future to include Moree.”
Ms Youngberry said there are currently 18 registered providers of MBCPs in NSW.
“Centacare is one of those. The registration and accreditation process is extremely onerous, and the compliance framework for delivering MBCPs is as well,” she said.
“However, this is all very important, of course, due to the sensitive work we do with the men in group, and ensuring the safety of women and children.
“Despite this program not currently being available in Moree, I believe it is both useful and interesting to discuss how the program runs and the interventions that are used, as well as the outcomes achieved.
“By participating in Men’s Behaviour Change Programs, men can break the cycle of violence and create a positive impact on their own lives, as well as on their families and communities,” Ms Youngberry said.
Moree CWA president Joy Holmes said plans were in place to host another forum in the future.
“I was delighted with the day, and were thrilled with about 50 people attending,” Mrs Holmes said.
“The forum was a big success, and an enlightening day. We heard the good stories and the not-so-good stories, and have been asked to host another forum, along similar lines.”
Mrs Holmes applauded the many representatives from local welfare agencies and organisations in attendance.
“Everyone spoke and described what their facilities offer and interacted with questions from the floor – all these people made the day special,” Mrs Holmes said.
“I am sure we all gained more knowledge of what is available in our town, and the support that is here.”
Words and Image: Bill Poulos
