'It's critical that we do everything that we can to stop the cycle of domestic violence'

Those suffering from, at risk of domestic violence or of inflicting it are encouraged to call either of the two national helplines - 1800RESPECT or MensLine Australia to speak with a trained counsellor, confidentially, 24 hours a day, over the phone or via online chat.

And since the pandemic began more than 15 per cent of contacts for MensLine Australia have been COVID-19 specific, while 1800RESPECT has seen an 11 per cent increase in people accessing support compared to the same time last year.

In welcoming the $150 million Domestic Violence Support Package, Federal Member for Calare and Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education Andrew Gee, said it's important to protect a vulnerable members of the community.

The package includes the Help is Here campaign, advertising across television, digital, social media, radio, magazines and newspapers as well as in shopping centres, hospitals and GP surgeries.

"Central West residents have responded to the call to 'stay at home' during COVID-19," he said.

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"It's devastating that home is not a safe place for some, so this campaign will raise awareness of the support available for people who need help.

"It's critical that we do everything that we can to stop the cycle of domestic violence, and these resources are in place to help anyone who feels at risk, either as a victim, or perpetrator."

Following the implementation of social distancing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a report by NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) said there was no significant increase in domestic violence in police recorded crime data. That was when comparing March 2020 to the same period last year.

However, Victims Services NSW statistics showed a more than 10 per cent increase in the number of domestic violence client referrals.

"We know that women have been reluctant to report at the moment, that they are finding it harder than ever to reach out," CEO of Women's Safety NSW, Hayley Foster, said.

"But when they do, what they're relaying is going on behind closed doors is an escalation of violence, abuse and extreme levels of control.

"It's incredibly important that government agencies and the public understands this picture, as otherwise we won't be making the right policy decisions and the precious resources won't be flowing to where they are needed for women and children to get the help they need."

And she called for a modest portion of the $150 million Commonwealth package to be spent on increasing staffing hours, casual staffing and administrative support for high client volume domestic violence services.

When finalising a matter before Mudgee Local Court on Wednesday, Magistrate David Day expressed his concern that the domestic violence incident - which occurred on an isolated rural property where the offender works from home - actually predated lockdown.

The 56-year-old woman was sentenced to a two-year Conditional Release Order, without a conviction being recorded due to her lack prior criminal history.

At about lunchtime on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, an argument between her and the victim became heated and she hit him over the head with a wine bottle as well as a number of other household items.

"And all of this occurred before restrictions, goodness me, talk about cabin fever," his honour said.