Publications
Women’s Safety NSW regularly makes submissions to government inquiries and reform processes and from time to time release other publications such as reports and position statements which outline our members’ position on a range of legislative, policy and practice areas impacting upon women’s safety, justice and wellbeing. Check out our latest publications here:
Continued Impacts of COVID-19 on Domestic and Family Violence
In March, April and June 2020, Women’s Safety NSW published three reports detailing the overall impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and children experiencing domestic and family violence. Women’s Safety NSW also released a series of reports detailing the specific impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on select groups of women and children experiencing domestic…
Animal Abuse and Domestic and Family Violence
Women’s Safety NSW have compiled this report in response to the Consultation Paper for the NSW Government’s Review into Animal Abuse and Domestic and Family Violence. Animal abuse within violent households is often an overlooked aspect within a domestic and family violence context. Our report assists in meeting the purpose of the review in understanding…
Impact of COVID-19 on Migrant and Refugee Women and Children Experiencing DFV
Whilst research on the prevalence of violence against migrant and refugee women is limited, what is known is that cultural, language and systemic barriers serve to reduce access to safety and support for this group of women, and they are at higher risk of domestic homicide. (AIC 2020) This also corresponds with lower rates of reporting…
Report: Interpreter Services in Domestic and Family Violence Matters
For victim-survivors of domestic and family violence from a non-English speaking background, having access to quality interpreter services can make all the difference when it comes to achieving safety, justice and wellbeing. In fact, having access to quality interpreters is essential at all stages of the domestic and family violence response, including at the initial…
Report: Experiences of Indigenous women impacted by violence during COVID-19
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are the most at risk group of experiencing domestic and family violence in this country, being, between 2 and 5 times more likely to experience violence when compared to our non-Indigenous counterparts (ANROWS 2014). Furthermore, Indigenous women are 35 times more likely to experience violence that results in hospitalisation…
Report: Impacts of COVID-19 on Domestic and Family Violence as Restrictions Ease
In March and April 2020, Women’s Safety NSW published two reports detailing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and children experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV). Over two months have passed since the introduction of strict social distancing and self-isolation measures in NSW, which raised significant concerns about victims of DFV and their…
REPORT: Family Violence and Alcohol During COVID-19
The seriousness of alcohol’s role in family and intimate partner violence is evident in an Australian-first survey of specialists working in domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with FARE, Women’s Safety NSW today released the report, Family violence and alcohol during COVID-19, which assesses the caseload of a range of family violence specialists…
Full Report: Child Contact, Shared Care & Family Law in the Context of DFV & COVID-19
Women’s Safety NSW has surveyed its members who are specialist domestic violence workers in NSW about the impact of COVID-19 on child contact, shared care and family law arrangements in the context of domestic and family violence and found what the chief executive, Hayley Foster, has described as “worrying” results. Nearly four out of five…
UPDATE: Impacts on COVID-19 on Domestic and Family Violence in NSW
Last week, Women’s Safety NSW published a report detailing the impacts of COVID-19 on domestic and family violence (DFV) and the frontline services who respond to it. A survey was undertaken of frontline workers, coordinators and service providers across the state to establish their concerns. This week, Women’s Safety NSW has again surveyed frontline workers…
Summary Report: Impact of COVID-19 on Women and Children Experiencing DFV and Frontline DFV Services
Women’s Safety NSW has undertaken a survey of frontline workers, Coordinators and service providers to ascertain how the COVID-19 outbreak is affecting Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) responses in NSW and to request feedback on what urgent measures are needed to effectively respond to the crisis at this time. This report summarises the findings of…
Submission: Gambling Reform and Domestic and Family Violence
Women’s Safety NSW is pleased to submit a submission on the proposed reforms to gambling laws. Women’s Safety NSW support the reforms, but draw attention to the need to consider the appropriateness and potential repercussions of a family member led-exclusion scheme—which is designed to empower family members, including current and former spouses, to make an…
Submission to the Committee on Children and Young People
Women’s Safety NSW is pleased to submit a submission into the inquiry into the Child Protection and Social Services System. There is growing evidence of the extent to which children are exposed to domestic and family violence in Australia and the effects this has on their development. Many children have witnessed violence, with 68% of…
SUBMISSION: Inquiry into Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence
Women’s Safety NSW is pleased to be afforded the opportunity to make this submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence. The submission directly addresses each of the terms of reference for the Inquiry but highlights some key areas for immediate action such as investment in an implementation plan for the Our Watch…
Animal Abuse and Domestic and Family Violence
Women’s Safety NSW have compiled this report in response to the Consultation Paper for the NSW Government’s Review into Animal Abuse and Domestic and Family Violence. Animal abuse within violent households is often an overlooked aspect within a domestic and family violence context. Our report assists in meeting the purpose of the review in understanding…
SUBMISSION: Feedback on the Proposed Changes to the Victims Services Support Scheme
The NSW Government has proposed reforms to the NSW Victims Support Scheme to improve their services for victims of crime. The proposed advances include consolidation of service phone numbers, client’s free choice tocounsellor and a new application form. Whilst we appreciate the intention of proposed reforms, we fear some of the changes may deny victims…
Submission to the NSW Sentencing Council Review on domestic related homicide
Women’s Safety NSW is a peak representative body for women’s specialist domestic and family violence services in NSW. Our members include all Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services who support women in 114 Local Courts across NSW and in the family law courts, as well as coordinating the NSW Government’s Victim Safety Response – Safer…
Submission to the Joint Select Committee on Australia’s Family Law System
Women’s Safety NSW is a peak representative body for women’s specialist domestic and family violence services in NSW – including all Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services working in 114 Local Courts across NSW and in the Family Law Courts and coordinating the NSW Government’s Victim Safety Response – Safer Pathway. We advocate on behalf…
Response to the NSW Law Reform Commission’s Draft Proposals on Consent in Relation to Sexual Offences
Women’s Safety NSW welcomes the draft proposals of the NSW Law Reform Commission (“the Commission”) on consent in relation to sexual offences. Following our previous submission (see WDVCAS submission dated 16 April 2019), this response includes our views, the majority of which are positive and supportive, on the draft proposals, and further recommendations for crucial…
Open Justice Review: Preliminary Submission
The current legislative framework governing access, disclosure and publication of court and tribunal information is failing to adequately protect women and their children who have experienced domestic and family violence from intrusions of privacy which in many cases result in women and their children being re-traumatised. On the flipside, victims of domestic and family violence often…
Submission to the New South Wales Law Reform Commission Review of Sexual Consent Laws
Current sexual consent laws in NSW are not producing justice for victims of sexual assault. Currently, the vast majority of sexual assault victims, disproportionately women and children, have little confidence in the system and choose not to report the violence which has been inflicted upon them. Where women and their children do report the assaults, the…
Position Paper: Court Responses to Domestic and Family Violence in New South Wales
The court system plays a vital role in responding to domestic and family violence in Australia, and ensuring the ongoing protection of victim-survivors of abuse. When police make a provisional Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) and/or charge an offender for a domestic violence-related offence, or in cases where a domestic violence victim-survivor makes a private…
Position Paper: Police Domestic and Family Violence Policy and Practice
The pivotal role that police perform as the first responders to domestic violence incidents is well recognised. Attending domestic violence incidents is considered to be a core aspect of police practice. Victim-survivors having initial positive interactions with police lead to improved reporting rates, reduced re-victimisation and an increase in overall safety, justice and wellbeing. It…
Criminalising Coercive Control: Position Paper
Coercive control is a foundational element of domestic violence, and also a major predictor of severe physical violence and homicide. Women’s Safety NSW regards the criminalisation of coercive control as critically important if Australia is to achieve a substantial reduction in violence against women and domestic homicide. In a 2020 survey conducted by Women’s Safety…
Briefing Paper: Statewide Survey Results- Women on Temporary Visas Experiencing Violence
Women’s Safety NSW this week conducted a survey of our members regarding women on temporary visas. This survey supports our recent briefing paper on the heightened need for both the NSW Government and the Federal Government to provide support to women on temporary visas experiencing violence during COVID-19. On 22 April 2020, the Tasmanian Government…
Letter from LGBTIQ DFV Interagency to Minister Speakman
To: Attorney General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Dear Minister, LGBTIQ Domestic and Family Violence Interagency We are writing to you as the LGBTIQ Domestic and Family Violence Interagency, a group of community organisations and government agencies committed to improving access to support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and/or queer (LGBTIQ)…
Emergency briefing: Supporting women, children, young and LGBTIQ people experiencing sexual, domestic and family violence during the COVID-19 crisis
The NSW Women’s Alliance have developed an Emergency Briefing to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic… “During the COVID-19 crisis, women, children, young and LGBTIQ people are at risk of increased and more severe sexual, domestic and family violence (SDFV) due to further isolation from work, schools, friends and family and other support networks. People may…
Survey Summary Brief: Bail Laws, Practice and Procedure under COVID-19 as they apply to Domestic Violence Offenders
In response to the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NSW Parliament enacted COVID-19 Legislation Amendment (Emergency Measures) Act 2020, which, amongst other things, amended the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 to bestow regulation-making power on the Minister in consultation with the Chief Magistrate to alter arrangements in relation to bail and sentencing. (s 366(1)(c),…
Briefing Paper: Women on Temporary Visas Experiencing Violence – Current Case Studies
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions being placed on movement which is requiring people to stay home and restrict travel, many women and children who are experiencing violence and abuse within their homes are at greater risk. Survey results from frontline domestic violence workers across NSW have indicated an increase in…
Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse
Women’s Safety NSW brief summary of survey responses for the Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse Roundtable. Domestic Violence & Animal Abuse – Brief Summary for Roundtable
Women’s Safety NSW Priorities for 2020-21 and Blueprint Stage
CLICK HERE to view full presentation.