Women's Safety Commissioner

The inaugural Women's Safety Commissioner for New South Wales (NSW) is Dr Hannah Tonkin.

The NSW Women's Safety Commissioner:

• provides leadership and oversight of whole of NSW government policy and programs on domestic, family and sexual violence
• provides advice and support on cross-sector and whole of government women’s safety policy development and law reform.

The Commissioner is committed to determining priority areas in consultation with victim survivors, the women's safety sector and NSW Government. The Commissioner's priorities will be released following consultation.

Biography 

Prior to commencing as the NSW Women's Safety Commissioner, Dr Tonkin was a barrister at Hanson Chambers in Adelaide and Garden Court Chambers in London. She previously worked as an international human rights lawyer at the United Nations and as Director of Disability Rights at the Australian Human Rights Commission. She was also a lecturer in international law at the University of Oxford and University of Adelaide, and Co-Chair of the Women and Girls Rights Subcommittee of the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights.

Dr Tonkin holds a master's degree and PhD in international law from the University of Oxford, where she studied as a Rhodes Scholar, and Honours Degrees in Law and Science from the University of Adelaide.

Media enquiries

All media enquiries can be directed to:

Phone: (02) 9716 2804

Email: media.unit@facs.nsw.gov.au

Relevant links

• New South Wales Sexual Violence Plan 2022–2027 (PDF, 1.6 MB)
• New South Wales Domestic and Family Violence Plan 2022–2027 (PDF, 1.7 MB)
• National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022–2023
• New South Wales Domestic and Family Violence Blueprint for Reform 2016–2021
• NSW Women's Strategy 2023–2026
• Media release: $100 million investment in women's safety
• Media release: First Women's Safety Commissioner appointed

Helplines

If in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000) 

If you or someone you know is experiencing violence and you would like safe, professional help and support contact: 

For additional support contacts, including specialised services please see the Domestic, family and sexual violence support contacts page.