The vital Staying Home Leaving Violence program helps the government remove violent offenders without displacing victims. Photo: NSW Government.
The NSW Government has expanded the Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program to provide vital help to women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
The Minns Labor Government invested $25.9 million in last year’s domestic violence emergency package over the next four years to expand the program across all 128 local government areas in the state.
Under the program, police can ensure that the perpetrator of the violence is removed from the home, while victims benefit from safety planning, financial planning assistance, security upgrades at the property and help in navigating legal processes.
A 2022 evaluation found that the program “effectively contributes to the long‑term safety and housing stability of women and families” and helped to enhance the wellbeing of women and children affected by domestic and family violence.
Twelve new providers are included in the scheme’s expansion.
- Ryde Family Services TA The Northern Centre – Hornsby, Ryde and Hunters Hill LGAs
- Mary’s House Services – Northern Beaches, Lane Cove, Ku-Ring-Gai, Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby LGAs
- Justice Support Centre – Canada Bay and Strathfield LGAs
- Home-Start National – Goulburn-Mulwaree, Upper Lachlan and Yass Valley LGAs
- Monaro Family Support Service – Snowy Monaro LGA
- Lithgow Community Projects Incorporated – Blue Mountains and Lithgow LGAs
- St Vincent de Paul Society NSW – Wingecarribee and Wollondilly LGAs
- Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council – Oberon LGA
- Narrabri and District Community Aid Service (NDCAS) – Narrabri LGA
- Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation – Gunnedah LGA
- Linking Communities Network Limited – Cootamundra-Gundagai, Hilltops, Snowy Valleys and Temora LGAs
- Plus Community – Balranald and Wentworth LGAs
- A service provider for Bourke is being finalised.
In the past financial year, the SHLV supported 6500 victims of domestic and family violence, including 1293 children who have experienced abuse.
The Minns Government said the policy was one of many aimed at reducing the scourge of domestic and family violence; others included strengthening crisis response, tightening bail law and focusing on early intervention.
The program expansion comes at a time when family and domestic violence is taking centre stage in the public forum. Recent state and federal elections devoted time to the issue, and the Queensland and Northern Territory governments have spruiked their law-and-order credentials.
