Bid to 'save lives' with $21m boost for domestic violence services

Women's refuges, men's behaviour change programs and a 'pop-up' safe house on Sydney's northern beaches will benefit from a funding boost of more than $21 million to domestic and family violence services in NSW.

NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman will today announce the combined funding package, which includes an $8.8 million share of the $150 million package announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The state government will contribute the remaining $12.8 million, which will go towards front-line support services, supporting victims to escape violent homes and holding perpetrators to account.

"As we battled an unknown disease these past months, we’ve all rightly been told by health officials to close our doors, stay home and therefore stay safe. Domestic abuse, however, thrives in these dark places," said Mr Speakman, who is the NSW Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence.

He said the package responded to a range of issues raised by the sector, with a focus on protecting women and children, and to "ultimately save lives.”

Domestic Violence NSW chairperson Helen Silvia said the funding was a "good news story" at a time when demand for domestic violence front-line support services was increasing, as was the complexity of cases.

"Social isolation and distancing measures have created an additional layer of complexity, particularly among women who require translating [services], or who have been impacted by other service sectors."

She said the sector welcomed the diverse areas the funding would target, such as crisis services for vulnerable groups like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people with disabilities, LGBTQI communities and women in remote areas.

"It's timely, it's flexible and it has the safety of women and children at the heart of the funding intent."

A key focus of the package will be women escaping violence. Funding will go towards the state’s 84 women’s refuges, for additional staff, food vouchers or safe phones for victims.

It will also assist refuges to help accommodate companion animals, allowing women to leave violent homes while ensuring their pet is safe.

A ''pop-up'' safe house will also be opened in the Manly area to give highly vulnerable women and their children emergency and temporary accommodation for the duration of a six-month lease. There are no plans to extend the safe house beyond six months.

There will also be an allocation for temporary accommodation for perpetrators who have been removed from a property by police but have nowhere else to stay. This allows the victim to remain in the family home.

More duress alarm devices, increased crisis counselling and a digital campaign to help people report violence will also be targeted.

The announcement follows the release of government figures earlier this month of a 10 per cent rise in the number of calls to front-line services for urgent domestic violence assistance since lockdown began in March.

Mr Speakman acknowledged that the figure conflicted with police data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, which found domestic violence assaults recorded by police did not increase in March.

"We also knew that social isolation could trap women in their homes with their abusers, limiting opportunities to contact police or support services. The months ahead will likely paint a more accurate picture," he said.

Federal Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the government was working with all states and territories to identify funding priorities "for those at-risk of violence”, for the remainder of the $150 million.