The NSW Government will invest $230 million over four years as part of an emergency package to enhance support for domestic, family and sexual violence victim-survivors.
It comes after the federal government last week committed to investing $925 million into the Living Violence program, including a financial support payment of up to $5000 for people fleeing violence.
More than 30 women have allegedly been killed by men across Australia in the first four months of 2024.
The Minns Government announced on Monday a $230 million emergency package to take urgent action on addressing the rate of violence against women and children.
This package was guided by the expert advice of victim-survivors and leaders in the domestic family and sexual violence sector who engaged directly with the NSW Cabinet last week.
It includes $48m in funding to roll out the Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program across NSW, giving women and children the support to stay safe in their homes after leaving a violent relationship.
The funding will also go towards the Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Service which helps victims navigate the services of government agencies and non-government organisations which include healthcare, child protection workers, housing providers and women’s refuges.
The program works with both victim-survivors who have left a relationship and those who remain, focusing on maximising safety for this group of women and their children.
Another $45 million has been set aside to improve bail laws and justice system responses to domestic violence with measures to be announced in coming weeks.
Nearly $24 million has been allocated to specialist DV support workers within the justice system and $2 million over four years to support the Domestic Violence Death Review Team which delivers robust research around risks factors, trends and impact of service delivery.
Another $48 million has been promised to fund workers who support children accompanying their mothers to refuges. These specialist workers for young people support them, including with education, physical and mental health measures.
Premier Chris Minns said the announcement is a first step to demonstrate the government is listening to victim-survivors and organisations from across NSW to drive solutions.
“Too many lives have been lost and too many families have been broken because of domestic and family violence,” he said.
“It is a blight in our communities, and it is a problem that deserves our government’s concerted attention and response.
“Domestic, family, and sexual violence is preventable; we cannot accept the status quo.”
Attorney-General Michael Daley said the state “needs a co-ordinated approach across multiple fronts to disrupt domestic violence – that is what this suite of funding initiatives is designed to achieve.”
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said: “There is no shying away from the horrendous statistics, and the tragic stories behind each one of those statistics.
“What we need to focus on, and what we are committed to achieving, is appropriate, ongoing, and all-encompassing wraparound support for victim-survivors, as well as ensuring we learn from their experiences and do better for communities across NSW.”
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic, family or sexual violence, please call the toll-free number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for support on 1800 RESPECT or visit 1800respect.org.au.