A change in legislation will make charging domestic violence offenders easier for victims and police.
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Legislation which came into effect on July 1 allows police to use video footage as evidence in domestic violence cases.
Orana duty officer, Inspector Dan Skelly said this was a move in the right direction to lowering domestic violence incidents.
"It does make it easier for us, yes, but more importantly it stops the victim having to go through the ordeal again," he said.
"Usually we get a guilty plea at the first available opportunity."
"Usually we get a guilty plea at the first available opportunity."
- Inspector Dan Skelly, Orana LAC.
Inspector Skelly said this new legislation was a breakthrough in presenting evidence at court.
"We've always been able to use the video camera if permission is granted," he said.
"The new law allows a video statement to be shown in court as evidence if correct procedure is complied by police at the time."
Narromine police have already taken advantage of the new legislation.
The current police report stated at 2am on July 1 police attended a domestic violence incident.
"Police utilised new legislation allowing the video recording of victim statements which will form part of their evidence in court," the report reads.
"This is an Australia first allowing police to support complainants of domestic violence through the court process."
An 18-year-old man was charged with a number of offences at the scene and is due to appear at Narromine Local Court.
Inspector Skelly hopes this new method will have a flow-on effect for domestic violence victims.
If a victim chooses to pull out of a charge or doesn't want to continue the court process, police are still in a position to proceed with the assault charges.
"It provides evidence to the person charged and shows their condition at the time," Inspector Skelly said.
"It's compelling evidence. Often offenders will plead not guilty saying it's her word against mine, but this footage can give them the wake-up they need."
Inspector Skelly said the footage wasn't limited to interviews.
"We can also video the house and show upturned furniture,'' he said.
Visual evidence working in favour of the victim has also been applauded by the senior police officer.
"Unfortunately for a lot of domestic violence victims the injury they sustain is fairly well healed by the time they go to court. This way the judge can see what it was like at the scene," Inspector Skelly said.
Minister for Women Pru Goward is hoping it will increase the success rates of domestic violence prosecutions.
"Relying on a video-recorded statement reduces the possibility of the perpetrator intimidating the victim by trying to coerce them into withdrawing or changing their original version of events," she told the Sydney Morning Herald.
