Domestic Violence NSW responds to the NSW Justice Package
02 June 2025
The below statement is attributable to Delia Donovan, CEO of Domestic Violence NSW.
While today’s announcement includes some welcome justice reforms, we are deeply concerned about the future of domestic violence services in NSW. Right now, victim-survivors in NSW are waiting up to two months for support. Today’s announcement does not change that. Of the $272.7 million listed for domestic, family, and sexual violence services, we believe much of this represents the continuation of existing state and federal funding – not new investment. We await clarity from the NSW Government.
This is not enough. Victim-survivors deserve more than business as usual.
For over five years, we have consistently called for a 50% increase to baseline funding to enable frontline services to meet demand, retain staff, and deliver safety and healing to those in crisis. Yet this announcement once again overlooks that urgent need.
Yes, we welcome the fulfilment of longer-term reforms such as five-year contracts, workforce development strategy implementation, and new data strategies. These are important building blocks. But they don’t address the reality that existing services are stretched to breaking point – operating on outdated funding models that don’t come close to covering today’s costs.
For too long, our sector has been expected to be grateful for small wins while carrying the weight of a growing crisis. We are historically overlooked, chronically underfunded, and expected to do more with less. Today’s announcement falls millions of dollars short of the funding we put forward, to respond to the scale and urgency of domestic and family violence in NSW.
It’s vital to remember that justice responses are only one part of the solution. Many victim-survivors may not – or can’t – engage with the justice system, often due to fear or mistrust. And even when they do, they still need access to safe housing, financial support, trauma-informed services, and practical help to stay safe and rebuild their lives.
The specialist domestic and family violence services are often the first, or only, point of support for victim-survivors. These services must be adequately invested in because in their absence, it’s not a case of victim-survivors then turning to the justice system, it’s more a case of them not seeking support at all
We are urging the NSW Government to listen – really listen – to the voices of victim-survivors, and the frontline workers saving lives every day. We can’t end domestic and family violence without adequately resourcing the services that are there from the very first call for help.