The unmet demand crisis facing domestic and family violence services in NSW
Growing numbers of victim-survivors are reporting domestic and family violence (DFV) and reaching out for help. Unfortunately, many are unable to access vital support to help them stay safe, escape violence and get their lives back on track.
Burgeoning demand for services is stretching many specialist DFV services in New South Wales beyond their capacity. Inadequate funding levels are forcing services to make impossible trade-offs and putting victim-survivors’ lives at risk.
More and more victim-survivors of domestic and family violence (DFV) are coming forward to report violence and seek help. Over 300 DFV-related assaults are recorded every day across New South Wales. Rates of reported violence have been rising since the COVID-19 pandemic, with increases in reported assaults, murders, stalking, intimidation, technology-facilitated abuse and other forms of DFV.
At the same time, declining housing affordability and shortages of crisis and transitional housing are making it harder for people to escape violence. These factors, combined with growing community awareness of DFV, are resulting in growing numbers of victim-survivors reaching out to social and community services for help.
Specialist DFV services are seeing the consequences of this increased demand first hand. These services provide a range of case management and case coordination supports to help victim-survivors stay safe, escape violence and get their lives back on track. This includes safety planning, assisting with security enhancements, referrals to other services and ongoing monitoring of the victim-survivor’s situation. Some specialist DFV services also directly provide therapeutic counselling, legal assistance and homelessness services for victim-survivors.
Key findings from a sample of 8 specialist DFV services, July-August 2025:
This report provides new insights on the growing strains facing the specialist DFV sector in New South Wales. It seeks to fill a gap in the evidence base about what is happening on the ground for specialist DFV services and to elevate their voices.