In October, Wagga’s Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service responded to 231 incidents, which is a 12 per cent increase from last year. 

“This month alone, as of today we have 185,” said Helen West, the acting director of Wagga Family Support. 

“With a week to go, that is an increase of 15 per cent in this month.” 

The centre outreaches to nine courts from Wagga and have a staff of 10 to deal with the high demand for services. 

“Everybody is sick of domestic violence and saying enough is enough,” Ms West said. “I think more people are reporting it now.” 

On Friday, the NSW Government has ordered an independent review of sentencing for murder and manslaughter offences, including those involving domestic and family violence.

The 28 people killed in domestic violence homicides in NSW in 2017-18 represented almost half of the murder victims in the state during that period, according to Attorney General Mark Speakman.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Pru Goward said while the review will examine sentencing principles for all types of manslaughter and murder, it is particularly important that the Sentencing Council consider closely how domestic violence killers are held to account.

Ms West said the review is necessary and urged the government to work with other states to introduce uniform sentencing. 

“I think that there is a lesser sentence is just ridiculous,” she said. “We are seeing the effect on people who have lost loved ones due to domestic violence and seeing the offenders released before a family can even grieve.” 

Wagga WDVCAS’s acting coordinator Nani Coulture said Wagga has had some great magistrates, but feels the victim isn’t always heard.

“There needs to be a change in the system,” she said.