Domestic violence-related assaults and sexual assaults have increased over the past two years to March 2025, according to the latest update from NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).
Data shows domestic violence-related assaults increased by 3.6 per cent, with rises recorded in eight of 13 Regional NSW areas and three of 15 Greater Sydney locations.
Sexual assault reports rose by 6.4 per cent, driven largely by a 9.8 per cent increase in Greater Sydney.
The third major criminal offence shown to be increasing was ‘retail theft’, with incidents climbing by 4.3 per cent in NSW.
“Of the three major offences trending upwards, the increase in domestic violence-related assault is the most geographically widespread. Most of Regional NSW and several Sydney locations are showing increases,” said Jackie Fitzgerald, Executive Director of BOCSAR.
The data also shows sharp rises in family violence (up 7.3 per cent), intimate partner assaults (up 4.9 per cent) and a 9.5 per cent increase in child victims of domestic assault coming to police attention.
“It’s possible that greater community awareness and proactive policing are encouraging more victims to come forward,” said Fitzgerald.
Since the introduction of the Sexual Assault Reporting Option (SARO) in January 2023, online reporting has surged, making up 22.8 per cent of all sexual assault reports in the year to March 2025 and driving 40.5 per cent of the total increase over the past decade.
This latest BOCSAR data confirms what frontline domestic violence services have been warning for years- demand is rising amid funding shortfalls.
In 2024, 79 women were killed by violence, which was the highest count in nine years, according to Counting Dead Women Australia 2024. In NSW alone, there were 25 women who were killed by violence, the highest number of gender-based murders in the country.
NSW has recorded the highest murder toll nine times in the past eleven years, according to DVNSW, the peak body for specialist domestic and family violence services in NSW.
“Specialist DFV services are already stretched past breaking point, operating under outdated funding models that haven’t kept pace with inflation, population growth or the complexity of need,” said Delia Donovan, CEO, DVNSW.
“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.”
DVNSW is calling on the NSW Government to commit to a minimum 50 per cent 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,” Donovan said.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.
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