11 June 2025
The below statement is attributable to Delia Donovan, CEO, DVNSW
Today’s BOCSAR crime data confirms what frontline domestic and family violence (DFV) services have been warning for years – that demand is rising, severity is increasing, and current funding falls dangerously short.
Specialist DFV services are already stretched past breaking point, operating under outdated funding models that haven’t kept pace with inflation, population growth or the complexity of need. Today’s BOCSAR crime data again shows how critically important it is to invest in current services so they can meet the rising demand.
Despite alarming increases in reported domestic violence-related assaults, the NSW Government hasn’t delivered the baseline investment needed to respond. The recently announced Justice Package included little to no new funding for the frontline DFV services that victim-survivors rely on every day.
We are calling on the NSW Government to commit to a minimum 50% increase in baseline funding for specialist DFV services in this year’s State Budget. Without this investment, the Government is failing to meet the moment – and victim-survivors are paying the price.