DOMESTIC violence is rife in regional NSW but a lack of funding means vulnerable women are missing out on vital help services.
Data released this month from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research shows the top 20 hotspots for domestic violence in NSW are in regional areas.
Bourke, Brewarrina and Walgett were named as the top three local government areas for violence, followed by Glen Innes, Lachlan and Coonamble.
Other areas in the top 20 included Griffith, Armidale, Parkes and Dubbo.
However, a key women's counselling hotline, 1800RESPECT, says up to 18,000 calls for help go unanswered annually because of a lack of resources.
About 60 per cent of those calls come from regional women, said the service's co-ordinating body Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia (RDVSA).
"One of the reasons the hotline is so popular in regional areas is because of the privacy issues victims have when it comes to sharing their situation with a local service provider, who may be a neighbour or even an in-law," said RDVSA chief executive Karen Willis.
Ms Willis said violence had traditionally been higher in regional areas due to low rates of gender equality.
"It's not new to us that domestic violence per capita is higher in the bush - some years one or two metropolitan areas might creep into the top 20 but it's heavily dominated by regional areas," she said.
The 1800RESPECT hotline answers 55,000 calls a year and required more funding to answer the rest.
"We recently received $4 million of Commonwealth funding but we just can't keep up with demand for counsellors," she said.
"Thanks to awareness raising activities more women are coming forward to talk about their experiences."
Last week the Country Women's Association (CWA) of NSW partnered with RDVSA to join the fight.
It kicked off a state-wide campaign to raise awareness of the size of the issue and raise funds for the 1800RESPECT line.
But during its launch week three women were killed in two days, adding to the total of 62 women killed by family violence in Australia this year.
"We are committed to stamping out all forms of violence against women and children in the bush and to show them there's help available, irrespective of where they live," said CWA of NSW president Tanya Cameron (pictured).
"1800RESPECT is an important service because anybody, not just victims of violent relationships, can call to talk to a counsellor.
"They can offer advice to family and friends and that's an important point of difference."
The CWA will also fund a series of professional development courses in regional and rural centres, to better equip health professionals and community workers with tools to support victims of domestic violence.
"The CWA's members are incredibly hard working and well organised," Ms Willis said.
"We're pleased to be working with them."