Local domestic violence services at breaking point: NSW Government must act now on baseline funding
- Domestic Violence Service Management supports over 1,600 women and children across New South
Wales every year - The demand for our services and support has increased by an average of 27% across our services in
the last 12 months. - 94% of specialist domestic violence services in NSW reported an increase in demand in the 12
months to April 2025
Domestic Violence Service Management (DVSM) is calling on the NSW Government to listen to the calls of
peak body, Domestic Violence NSW, and invest in a 50% baseline funding increase as demand for services
soars to alarming heights.
While the recent Justice Package announcement included some welcome initiatives, it will do little to address
the reality that local services are stretched to breaking point – operating on out-dated funding models that
don’t come close to covering today’s costs
Across metro and regional NSW, specialist domestic and family violence services report waitlists stretching
for weeks to months. Some services have had no choice but to close their books altogether while trying meet
demand.
Stephanie Smith, DVSM’s CEO, says an increase to baseline funding will better enable frontline services to
meet demand, retain staff, and deliver safety and healing to those in crisis.
“Our job is to provide support and safe spaces for women and children across NSW who are experiencing
violence. Due to the significant increase in demand for our services, we require additional funding to ensure
that we can help more women in need, and ensure that they each receive timely and comprehensive care.”
Stephanie Smith said.
Recent BOCSAR data points to a growing crisis – one that can’t be fixed through temporary injections of
money and program expansions alone. Meaningful and long-term investment in baseline funding is needed in
the upcoming NSW budget if the Government is serious about working to end domestic and family violence.
“DVSM has long supported our sector’s top budget priority: an increase to baseline funding. Frontline workers within this sector are the heart of our response to domestic violence—they’re the ones who show up, listen, and provide critical support when it’s needed most. So now, more than ever, we need to keep frontline services running, ensure our staff are well looked after and guarantee that women and children experiencing violence have somewhere safe to turn.” Stephanie Smith said.
Ending domestic and family violence requires real investment – because failing to act is costing lives.
– Ends –
Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) facts:
- In 2024, 79 women were killed by violence – the highest count in nine years (Counting Dead Women Australia 2024).
1. NSW recorded 25 deaths – the highest number of gender-based murders in the country.
2. NSW has recorded the highest murder toll nine times in the past eleven years. - In NSW over 2023-24, compared to the year prior, there has been a:
- 6.5% rise in domestic and family violence-related assaults
- 7.6% increase in intimidation, stalking and harassment
- 6.9% more apprehended domestic violence orders (ADVOs)
- 9% more breaches of ADVOs (BOCSAR 2024).
- 1 in 4 women (27%) has experienced violence, emotional abuse, or economic abuse by a cohabitating partner since the age of 15 (ABS 2023).
- Women are more likely to experience violence from someone they know than by a stranger (35% vs 11%) (ABS 2023).
- Men are more commonly the perpetrators of physical violence, sexual harassment, and sexual violence (ABS 2023).
- NSW police attend a domestic and family violence call approximately every 2 minutes (Department of Communities and Justice, 2020)