Domestic violence services in Western Sydney fear closure amid funding cuts

A leading domestic and family violence charity has cried out for more funding from Dominic Perrottet and Chris Minns just one week out of the polls. Find out who is willing to help.

Three desperately needed domestic and family violence programs will be shut down in months if the government and NSW Labor do not commit urgent funding, a leading charity has claimed less than a week out of the state election.

Relationships Australia NSW (RANSW) will be forced to close three domestic and family violence programs in Blacktown, in Sydney’s west — with the organisation claiming repeated funding extensions were denied.

RANSW chief executive Elisabeth Shaw said the closure of these programs would be devastating for the community where the need for support had escalated.

“This is a real-time example of the impacts of short-term funding on the social services sector,” Ms Shaw said.

“Men who want to stop using violence in their relationships will no longer be able to access these services in Blacktown, and services for older Australians who are being abused by their family will be unavailable.

Head of Relationships Australia; Elisabeth Shaw Minister and Minister for Women’s Safety Natalie Ward. Picture: Gaye Gerard

“We are calling on both the NSW Premier and the NSW Opposition to provide a funding guarantee.”

The three services include two Men’s Behaviour Change Programs, which help men to stop using violence in their relationships and an elder abuse early intervention program based in Blacktown but servicing the state.

It is understood the government has not denied funding requests but they are still being assessed as a part of the budget process with no commitment made ahead of the election.

Jodie Harrison. Picture: Tim Pascoe

“The Liberal and Nationals Government has committed record funding of more than $700 million to women’s safety over the last two budgets,” Women’s Safety Minister Natalie Ward said.

NSW Labor stopped short of committing funding to the programs but said they were willing to look at funding for services that provide elder abuse and family violence support under its existing election promises.

“NSW Labor will address funding for community sector services to provide certainty by introducing longer-term, five-year funding arrangements – including for organisations that provide domestic and family violence and elder abuse support,” an opposition campaign spokesman said.