Cootamundra Local Area Command domestic violence liaison officer Rennai Kentwell said it is particularly pervasive this time of year.

“It always rises over this time of year, stressors in peoples lives are growing, not that that’s any excuse,” she said.

Senior Constable Kentwell and Senior Constable Mick Wood are urging residents impacted by domestic violence to report the crime.

“It’s not going to stop and go away if it goes unreported,” Senior Constable Wood said.

Crime prevention officer Peter Guthrie campaigned against domestic violence last year for White Balloon Day and community members such as Richard White, former coordinator of ‘Taking Responsibility’ are equally as vocal on the topic. 

“It needs to be brought to a head,” Mr White said.

“The whole purpose behind the program was that the man acknowledged the problem, and that is the most important and the most difficult step.

“There’s a great deal of shame and fear involved, it must be addressed in a non-judgmental way.”

Soroptimist Cootamundra branch president Denise Clune said domestic violence impacts people from all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

“People think that it doesn’t happen here they say, ‘not in Cootamundra’, but it does.”

Senior Constable Kentwell would like to see families combat underlying issues before the situation reaches crisis point.

“We would prefer not having to react, if your family is faced with alcohol or drug issues, financial issues, if you’re finding it hard to control the kids, contact police and we can put you in touch with free service groups that are there to help,” she said.​