Strong public services. Strong community partnerships. Safer families.
The PSA supports the extraordinary work of community organisations across NSW.
Our campaign does not seek to replace NGOs or duplicate the specialist services they provide.
Instead, we want the NSW Government to take greater responsibility for making the whole system work.
Government should provide strong statewide coordination, oversight and accountability. Public agencies should work together effectively. Government-run Family Violence Services should provide a local point of coordination and support.
Community organisations should be properly funded and supported to continue providing the specialist services and community connections they do best.
What is required
ASK 1 – Expand the Family Violence Service across NSW
NSW already has a successful government-led Family Violence Service at Mount Druitt. The PSA has previously campaigned to protect that service when its government-led model was threatened.
We want this model expanded across NSW.
Government-run Family Violence Services should be established in areas of greatest need, with a particular focus on regional NSW.
Their role would be to work alongside and coordinate with existing community organisations, not replace them.
Victim-survivors should have a clear point of entry into a system capable of connecting Police, Health, Housing, Courts, Child Protection, Corrections and specialist community services.
ASK 2 – Create an independent Domestic and Family Violence Regulator
NSW invests substantial public resources in preventing and responding to domestic and family violence.
We need independent oversight capable of looking across the entire system.
A regulator should measure outcomes, identify gaps, establish standards, improve data collection, promote best practice and provide government and the community with a clearer picture of what is working and where improvement is needed.
The purpose is not unnecessary bureaucracy.
ASK 3 – Support strong community organisations
Community organisations are an essential part of the domestic and family violence system.
They have specialist expertise, established relationships and deep connections with the communities they serve.
The PSA supports stable, long-term funding for these organisations so they can retain skilled workers, plan for the future and provide reliable services.
Government should work with NGOs as partners, while accepting responsibility for coordinating the overall system.
ASK 4 – Improve prevention and justice
Responding after violence occurs is not enough.
NSW needs greater investment in prevention, evidence-based education and earlier intervention.
The justice system also needs the tools to reduce repeat offending. That should include specialist approaches through the courts, effective behaviour-change programs, stronger community corrections and rehabilitation programs for people on remand for domestic violence offences
ASK 5 – Build one connected system
Victim-survivors should not have to navigate government agencies and community organisations on their own.
Police, Health, Housing, Child Protection, Education, Courts, Corrective Services, government Family Violence Services and NGOs should operate as parts of one connected system.
Information, referrals and support should follow the person.
The goal is simple:
Local services. Statewide coordination. Strong oversight.
A Better Way Exists
Models like Mount Druitt Family Violence Service and Tasmania’s Safe at Home program show that coordinated, government-led services save lives.
This shouldn’t be the exception – it should be the standard across NSW.