One year after the NSW government introduced its $230 million emergency package on domestic violence, frontline services in the state have experienced an alarming spike in demand.
New data from Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW) reveals 94 per cent of specialist domestic and family violence services reported a strike in demand between May 2024 and March 2025, compared to the previous year.
There is an average two-month wait for critical support for domestic violence victim-survivors, and on average, specialist services have 33 people on their waitlist.
In both regional and metro areas, specialist services report waitlists that stretch from weeks to months. Some have been forced to close their books as they attempt to meet the current demand.
“These services are the frontline responders to the domestic violence crisis. It’s like sending a paramedic to a major emergency with just one ambulance – forced to make impossible choices about who gets help and who is left without life-saving support,” says Delia Donovan, CEO of DVNSW.
“We need proper resourcing for victim-survivors and the frontline services – investment that ensures every person at risk, has somewhere safe to turn,” Donovan said.
Almost half of all homicides in NSW last year were domestic violence-related, according to figures released last month by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.
In May 2024, the NSW government announced it would invest $230 million over four years to improve domestic violence support and prevention.
According to DVNSW, the new data shows that systemic issues like domestic and family violence cannot be fixed through one-off temporary injections of funding.
The organisation is calling for long-term investment in baseline funding for specialist frontline services in the upcoming NSW budget.
“For years now, a baseline funding increase has been our top priority budget ask. More than ever, it’s needed to keep frontline services running and ensure women and children escaping violence have somewhere to turn,” Donovan said.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000.
If you need help and advice call 1800Respect on 1800 737 732, Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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