New NSW plans to address sexual, domestic and family violence

9 December 2022

Two new five-year plans have outlined the NSW Government’s approach to eliminating sexual, domestic and family violence.

The NSW Sexual Violence Plan 2022-2027 and the NSW Domestic and Family Violence Plan 2022-2027 set out a direction in which the NSW Government will work with communities and the private sector to create a safer future for everyone across the state.

Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the five-year plans were drafted in broad consultation with victim-survivors, advisory groups, peak bodies, sector representatives and Aboriginal organisations.

“We are deeply grateful to the many victim-survivors and stakeholders who courageously helped shape these plans,” Mrs Ward said.

“While addressing sexual, domestic and family violence is a priority for the NSW Government, it is important our plans work with the national agenda to ensure funding and key programs are aligned so that we can achieve real outcomes.

“In these plans we have the roadmap to ensure the right programs are in place to ensure people can feel safe at home, at work and in public spaces across NSW.”

Attorney General Mark Speakman said the plans respond to the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 and build upon the key reforms already being undertaken across NSW.

“Sexual, domestic and family violence has a significant and often devastating impact on the social, emotional, economic and physical wellbeing of both adult and child victim-survivors and their families,” Mr Speakman said.

“These plans build on the NSW Government’s nation leading reforms and services that prioritise prevention and response across the state.”

These reforms include:

• The landmark investment of $484.3 million over four years to upgrade, deliver and operate additional women’s refuges.
• Commencement of sexual consent law reforms, supported by the expansion of the NSW Government’s successful primary prevention campaign, Make No Doubt.
• The passing of legislation in November to create a nation-leading stand-alone criminal offence of coercive control.

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the NSW Government had been working constructively with industry representatives and the private sector over many years to address sexual, domestic and family violence in every corner of society.

“Collectively, we have made significant progress in building a more effective system to prevent and respond to domestic, family and sexual violence, its reoccurrence and its impacts right across the state,” Mrs Taylor said.

“No one should be left behind regardless of where they live in our state.

“In addition to these roadmaps, the NSW Government will develop a dedicated plan to address sexual, domestic and family violence in Aboriginal communities and work to support efforts to achieve Closing the Gap Target 13 that will based on the national framework.”

CEO of Domestic Violence NSW Delia Donovan says the organisation welcomes the announcement of these two important plans and their vision towards ending domestic, family and sexual violence in NSW.

“We applaud the investments that have already been made to address victim-survivor safety in NSW and look forward to the ongoing increased capacity to address this critical human rights issue,” Mrs Donovan said.

Click here to read NSW Sexual Violence Plan 2022-2027 and the NSW Domestic and Family Violence Plan 2022-2027.