Illawarra Women’s Health Centre executive director Sally Stevenson said the NSW Government’s funding announcement was a welcome one – but services need more cash. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
The NSW Government will spend almost half a billion dollars on domestic violence services and reform in the next budget – but more must be done, Illawarra Women’s Health Centre executive director Sally Stevenson says.
The spending announcement includes an additional $227 million over five years for government support services, which help people access counselling and financial assistance.
This includes $49 million for a hub to support victim-survivors.
Anticipated to operate from late 2027, it will allow witnesses to give evidence remotely via video link and reduce trauma by saving victim-survivors from having to be in the same court complex and courtroom where they may encounter their perpetrator; for example, women and children giving evidence against a domestic violence offender.
Witnesses and victims will be supported at the hub with counselling, legal aid, and financial advice.
The government said it would also provide a total of $272 million towards frontline domestic violence services, including introducing five-year contracts for most support services in the domestic, family and sexual violence sectors.
Ms Stevenson said the investment showed the government was listening to some of the sector’s requests.
“The legal system is a critical point of intervention for victim-survivors, and we welcome the $227 million investment in the Victims’ Support Service and the creation of a new court hub,” Ms Stevenson said.
“Facilities that allow women and children to give evidence remotely, away from their abuser, will significantly reduce retraumatisation.”
Many survivors, however, do not engage with the legal system for different reasons.
They still need support from frontline services and Ms Stevenson said significant additional and sustained funding for those services was vital.
“Our services are stretched,” she said.
“Our books are full. This package provides some important support, but without an increase in the total funding envelope, it doesn’t match the scale of what’s required.
“Many women we see every day live in fear.
“They need specialist, trauma-informed support that is holistic – not just legal assistance, but healthcare, mental health support, housing advocacy, and safety planning.”
Ms Stevenson said the introduction of five-year contracts for key services was a significant positive shift and offered much-needed stability for the sector.
Despite that, she believes the overall investment does not go far enough to address the scale or complexity of the crisis.
She urged the government to increase the funding for frontline services by at least 50 per cent.
“We’re pleased to see the government moving toward longer-term contracts,” she said.
“That certainty matters. But this isn’t just about how long the money lasts – it’s about how much money there is.
“We are in the middle of a countrywide domestic, family and sexual violence epidemic.
“Rates continue to climb, and the demand is overwhelming. This package simply isn’t large enough to meet that need.”
Original Article published by Zoe Cartwright on Region Illawarra.
