Domestic violence prevention advocates warn more funding is needed to protect women

Advocates warn a $230 million domestic violence funding package may not be enough to address the critical need for emergency accommodation and support services.

Domestic violence advocates have warned the Minns government’s new domestic violence funding package falls short in providing funding for emergency accommodation for women and children fleeing family violence.

It comes amid revelations the NSW government has only recruited five domestic violence workers out of the 118 roles it committed to delivering by June 30 this year.

While domestic violence prevention stakeholders welcomed the NSW government’s $230 million emergency package, multiple advocates said there were holes within the reform.

Domestic Violence NSW chief executive Delia Donovan said while the package was much needed, it did not provide any funding for women’s refuges. She said existing domestic and family violence refuges desperately needed funding of $54 million a year to ensure that no victim-survivors are turned away. She said DVNSW had also asked the NSW

Government for 750 more transitional homes for women and children seeking refuge.

“This is a good start but we can’t have a conversation about domestic violence if we’re not talking about housing and homelessness,” she said.

Domestic Violence NSW chief executive Delia Donovan. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“We have been assured by the government that we will be continuing conversations in regards to our budget submission.”

Women’s Community Shelters chief executive Annabelle Daniel agreed while the package was an excellent first step, the lack of funding allocated for emergency housing for women and children escaping family violence was an oversight.

Ms Daniel said the shelters operated by her organisation were supposed to receive 50 per cent of their funding from the public purse. At present many shelters have far less than that.

Northern Beaches Women’s shelter only receives five per cent of its funding from the government, while the women’s shelter at Great Lakes, which caters mainly for Indigenous women only gets 25 per cent.

Women's Community Shelters CEO Annabelle Daniel. Picture: Richard Dobson

“If we are going to truly understand the links between homelessness and domestic family violence, homelessness services need to be part of the conversation,” she said.

“The money put forward for programs to keep women in their homes is welcome but we know how expensive the cost of housing is.

“It’s one thing to help women stay in their home but another thing to help them keep it – many go onto a one person income and find they have to move out anyway because they can’t afford to stay – but there aren’t any homes for these women to go to.”

Chief executive of domestic violence prevention advocacy group Full Stop, Karen Bevan broadly welcomed the government’s package but agreed there were obvious omissions in regards to investment in combating sexual violence in intimate relationships.

Ms Bevan said sexual violence and assault were highly prevalent in instances of family violence and needed to be specifically addressed both in legislative changes and investment.

She said any future legislative changes to bail laws needed to factor in how sexual violence in intimate relationships is handled by the courts.

Premier Chris Minns said Monday’s funding announcement was the first step in the process. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

“We welcome what’s been announced and it’s more money than we were expecting in this budget,” she said.

“It is of concern to us that there is no reference to sexual violence in the package

“What we would like is increased investment in ensuring primary prevention strategy acknowledges the prevalence of sexual violence and the drivers of sexual violence.”

Premier Chris Minns said on Monday the funding package was the first step, foreshadowing future legislative proposals around bail reform and a further housing announcement in the June budget.

It comes as NSW Domestic Violence Prevention Minister Jodie Harrison admitted the state had only managed to fill four per cent of the roles, despite federal funding being made available last year.

The Albanese Government’s election promise for 500 extra workers by 2025 remains significantly behind schedule, with Federal Finance Minister Katy Gallagher saying only 30 positions had been filled nationwide.

Ms Harrison said the lag in hiring was due “considerable” consultation to work out where the DV workers should go.

With $24 million in the NSW government’s new emergency domestic violence package going toward recruiting support staff in the justice system, Premier Chris Minns admitted recruitment would continue to be an issue.

“I freely admit that staffing for the sector is one of the primary challenges the government is facing,” he said.

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