NSW government launches $230m emergency package to stamp out domestic violence

The New South Wales government today launched a $230 million emergency package in a bid to stamp out domestic violence in the state.

It comes in the wake of the federal government’s pledge to spend $925 million on the Living Violence program, including financial support of up to $5000 for people fleeing violence.

Under the NSW government measures announced today, funding worth $48 million will go towards a Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program to help women and children fleeing abusive and violent relationships.

The funding will also be spent on the Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Service to help guide victims through the often complex network of services provided by government departments and non-government organisations such as women’s refuges

The state government also pledged a $45 million overhaul of the NSW justice system, including reforms of the bail laws to be announced in coming weeks.

Another $48 million will fund support workers to help children accompanying their mothers to refuges.

These specialist workers support them, including with education and mental health measures.

Nearly one in four women and one in eight men in Australia have experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member since the age of 15.

Premier Chris Minns announced the package in south-western Sydney and said victim-survivors and domestic violence experts had helped draw up the package.

“This funding announcement is an important step to doing better, to recognising that domestic violence supports need to be applied not just from a crisis response perspective, but with an eye to disrupting the cycle of domestic and family violence early and permanently,” he said.

Advocates for victims of domestic violence and non-government organisations welcomed the move by the NSW government.

The Benovolent Society said its staff was dealing with the scourge of domestic violence every day.

“We welcome the announcement that integrated services will be expanded to support victim survivors navigate the complexity of the police, courts, healthcare, child protection and housing systems.

“The support women receive needs to be predictable and consistent no matter which door they walk through.”

National Domestic Violence Service: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).

If you are in immediate danger call triple zero (000).