Domestic violence assaults rise in Riverina region

New statistics from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research indicate a significant rise in domestic violence-related incidents in the Riverina region. In the Leeton Local Government Area, reported domestic violence assaults surged by more than 37 per cent over one year, reaching 103 reported cases in the year ending June 2026. This rate is twice the state average. Additionally, recorded Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) breaches in Leeton increased from 25 incidents in 2016 to 120 in the same recent period.

Recent criminal charges highlight the severity of the issue, including the murder of Danielle Madgwick in Wagga Wagga and the stabbing of a 42-year-old woman in Leeton.

Delia Donovan, CEO of Domestic Violence NSW, noted that rural and remote communities face unique barriers to safety, such as housing shortages, limited transport, and inadequate justice infrastructure. She stated that regional services are currently operating beyond their funded capacity and called for increased investment in specialist workforces and locally led responses.