Domestic Violence NSW

28/05/2026

As Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month comes to a close, we hope this series has offered a glimpse into the many ways communities are leading change to prevent violence before it starts.

Throughout the series we’ve highlighted the importance of prevention work that responds to the unique strengths and needs of different communities and cohorts.

The Central Coast Primary Prevention Saturation Plan, led by CatholicCare Broken Bay shows us what it looks like to bring these approaches together through a whole-of-community model.

By partnering with local organisations and leaders, the initiative is strengthening understanding of respectful relationships and helping build a shared responsibility for safer, more respectful communities – ultimately working to prevent domestic and family violence across the Central Coast.

27/05/2026

Women’s refuges are often the first point of safety for women and children fleeing violence. When governments announce “more beds”, what gets missed is that refuges are not a homelessness response – they’re a specialist domestic and family violence crisis response.

Women’s refuges provide more than accommodation. They provide the wraparound support victim-survivors need to recover and heal from trauma. That includes safety planning, risk management, advocacy, practical support, and space to stabilise after violence.

After more than a decade without an increase to their core funding, the upcoming NSW budget must include an immediate 50% increase to help stabilise the specialist domestic and family violence sector.

27/05/2026

“National Reconciliation Week asks us to move beyond symbolic gestures and into truth-telling, accountability and action. For Aboriginal victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, reconciliation cannot exist without safety, self-determination and systems that respond with care instead of further harm.

Too many Aboriginal women are still navigating violence while also navigating racism, child removal, surveillance, punishment, housing insecurity and systems that often re traumatise rather than heal. But despite that, our communities continue to lead with strength, culture, love and deep knowledge.

Reconciliation means listening to Aboriginal women, backing Aboriginal-led solutions and being brave enough to change the systems that continue to fail our people.” - Cecilia Mckenzie, Aboriginal Policy, Engagement and Advocacy Manager, DVNSW

19/05/2026

This has to stop.

15/05/2026

May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month and this year, we’re tapping into the collective wisdom of the NSW Prevention Collaboration to spotlight the many ways prevention can be shaped by communities, for communities.

Next in the series is the Men’s Consultation Group, led by Wagga Women's Health Centre. Bringing together local men – including Elders, elected representatives, multicultural leaders, business owners, educators and tradespeople – the group creates space for learning, reflection and community leadership in preventing domestic and family violence.

Prevention in action means men taking what they’ve learned and using their voice and leadership in their own circles of influence. By building confidence to have conversations about respect, relationships and gender equality, the initiative is helping strengthen community-led prevention efforts across the Wagga Wagga region.

12/05/2026

New data shows a 49% increase in referrals to the specialist domestic and family violence sector involving serious threat assessments by NSW Police. That is not just a spike in demand, it's a warning sign that more victim-survivors are experiencing high-risk and escalating violence. Our members are seeing this every day through increasing case complexity, higher levels of risk, and overwhelming demand for support.

Behind every number is a woman, a child, trying to survive violence. And behind every unmet referral is a missed opportunity to intervene before risk escalates further. With cost-of-living pressures still rising, we are deeply concerned these figures will continue to soar, because financial stress is a well-known driver of domestic and family violence escalation.

Without an immediate 50% investment to stabilise the specialist domestic and family violence sector, risk will continue to escalate.

This is about keeping essential services operational so women and children can access support when they need it most.

Read our media release: https://www.dvnsw.org.au/press/cost-of-living-pressures-and-isolation-driving-rising-domestic-violence-risk-sector-warns/

07/05/2026

May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month and this year, we’re tapping into the collective wisdom of the NSW Prevention Collaboration to spotlight the many ways prevention can be shaped by communities, for communities.

First up is the Reducing Intergenerational Violence (RIV) Project, led by The Women’s Cottage. Working alongside children and young people in the Hawkesbury region, RIV delivers tailored, in-school prevention programs that support safe relationships, early intervention and help-seeking.

RIV is an excellent example of how community-led, place-based prevention initiatives can be structured to create lasting change.

Learn more here: https://www.rivproject.com.au/

This month we’ll continue showcasing prevention work grounded in local strengths, experiences and leadership from across NSW - stay tuned!

06/05/2026

05/05/2026

When someone is killed in domestic violence, the grief doesn’t end with one family – it ripples through friendships, workplaces and entire communities. It radiates. It lingers.

Because domestic violence isn’t rare; it’s relentless. And it isn’t hidden behind closed doors – it’s in every postcode, every community, every corner of this country.

Domestic and family violence doesn’t grow on its own, it grows in environments where accountability and action are continually avoided.

It feeds on the imbalance of power.

It’s protected by systems that excuse, minimise and deflect.

And it thrives when we, as a community, ignore it and our governments fail to act with courageous investment.

We must unite to challenge violence in our culture with unflinching honesty.

We must demand better from those in power.

We must hold perpetrators accountable.

And we must dismantle the legal, political and cultural systems that enable their abuse.

The simplest thing you can do to join the fight for safety, is email your local MP and ask them to support specialist DFV services and victim-survivors in demanding better https://dvnsw.good.do/fundDFVservices/email-your-mp/

24/04/2026

Let's rewrite the equation and prioritise people's lives in this budget.

A 50% increase to core funding for specialist DFV services can literally mean lives saved.

Email your local MP https://dvnsw.good.do/fundDFVservices/email-your-mp/ – together we can make a difference.