Regional domestic violence 'horrific'

Despite his assurances, the woman discovered a gun under a seat in their car.

But she felt she couldn't report him to police because he was considered a good guy in the rural NSW town of 700 people.

"She thought she would be ostracised. It's such a common theme in regional areas," domestic violence survivor and advocate Jane Matts told AAP.

The woman is one of many regional women Ms Matts has connected with through her Sisters In Law project, which educates and supports victim-survivors navigating family law and protection orders across Australia.

Ms Matts said victims outside cities face greater threats to their safety, due to the availability of weapons and ill-informed cultural attitudes about domestic violence.

Family violence is more frequent and severe in regional and rural areas, where the rate of victim-survivors being hospitalised is 24 times that of people in the cities, according to peak body Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW).

"The most horrific domestic violence stories are regional," Ms Matts said.

"Can you imagine what it's like for regional women who know that their husband has got guns in their shed, or their neighbours do, or they know how to get a gun?

"They're never really safe."

The challenges faced by women and children fleeing family violence in regional areas were the focus of a recent DVNSW forum involving case workers, survivors and the Country Women's Association.

Housing shortages and affordability are significant barriers to escape, an issue only compounded by recent floods and fires, and a market swamped by COVID-19 tree-changers.

Some regional women say real estate agents only approve tenants offering to pay the highest rent, leaving victims and children with nowhere to turn, DVNSW interim chief executive Elise Phillips said.

"Women and children who are in abusive relationships are choosing to stay because they know they have nowhere to go," she said.

"Or they leave an unsafe relationship, and they might find themselves in a refuge.

"But when that short-term crisis accommodation stops, some women are forced to return to that abusive relationship, or find themselves homeless.

"The outcome is that people are having to stay in unsafe relationships, and children continue to be exposed to violence and abuse."

On top of structural problems, a culture of victim-blaming, shame and questions like "Why didn't she just leave?," prevail in regional areas.

"There's additional stigma in rural and regional areas that prevent people from asking for help," Ms Phillips said.

Women's advocates are optimistic about the federal government's national plan on domestic violence, due to be finalised later this year.

They are also buoyed by broader understanding about varying forms of violence, and increased reporting of abuse, Ms Phillips said.

"That means more people are putting their hand up and saying, 'I'm struggling and I need help'. That's been really fantastic."

Ms Matts said both men and women need support to overcome family violence.

"I am not giving men excuses, but when we deal with men's mental health in our regions we're going to have a better outcome in domestic violence."

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Australian Associated Press