Funding boost for frontline family, domestic and sexual violence services in New South Wales

The $260 million National Partnership on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence has been rolled out, with New South Wales receiving their first payment of $20.032 million to help address increased demand for frontline services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal Member for Mitchell, the Hon Alex Hawke MP, said The Morrison Government is committed to working collaboratively and cooperatively with our state and territory counterparts to ensure women and children have access to support they need to live free of violence.

“We are providing $65 million in support to states and territories through the first payment under the National Partnership Agreement giving each jurisdiction flexibility to determine where the money is needed most,” Alex Hawke said.

“It is being used to bolster frontline worker numbers, expand crisis accommodation, sexual violence support, counselling and crisis case management, legal support, perpetrator interventions and men’s behaviour change programs.

This National Partnership builds on the $130 million the Morrison Government provided to states and territories in 2020 which supported more than 450 family and domestic violence frontline organisations and delivered more than 545 activities and services.

Under the $130 million National Partnership New South Wales government received $39.652 million which supported 170 frontline family domestic and sexual violence services,” Alex Hawke said.

“The additional funding helped services in boosting capacity of New South Wales crisis hotlines to meet increased demand, including additional surge caseworkers.

“Among the projects funded there was also a focus on offering services to give women the skills and confidence to leave a violent relationship and live independently such as financial counselling programs and support navigating the legal and courts system which can often be daunting or too expensive.

“This additional support for frontline services also works alongside our Escaping Violence Payment which provides women and children leaving a violence relationship up to $5000 to establish a safe home regardless of their income or assets.”

The National Partnership Agreement is being funded under the Morrison Government’s record $1.1 billion investment into women’s safety and coincides with the next National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022 to 2032.