The NSW Government says it will invest an extra half a billion dollars in a justice system package to support victim-survivors.
An extra $227 million over five years for the Victims’ Support
Service was announced Monday morning for the 2025-26 state budget.
Frontline domestic, family and sexual violence services are allocated $272.7 million, including $9.3 million to implement the Serious Domestic Abuse Prevention Orders.
The new orders mean high-risk domestic violence offenders are to be subject to strict monitoring and supervision, with courts able to impose any condition they consider appropriate.
Five-year contracts are also being introduced in the support services sector.
More solicitors and courtrooms
More than $100 million for Corrective Services NSW is allocated as part of the victim-survivor support funding.
The government says the funding will address recent increased demand attributed to its ‘tough new domestic violence bail laws’.
Monday’s media release cited ‘record numbers of alleged offenders held on remand’ in NSW.
Nearly $50 million is allocated for more solicitors at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The government says the allocated $48.3 million will allow for more prosecutions.
Sydney’s Downing Centre and John Madison Tower are to have at least fifteen new courtrooms, ten of them virtual, added to existing facilities as part of the funding allocation, including a new $49.4 million hub to support victim-survivors.
The new hub is expected to be operational from late 2027 and is to allow witnesses to give evidence remotely via video link, with services such as counselling, legal aid, and financial advice also to be available.
Another $12.8 million is to fund fifteen specialist staff to help reduce stress and trauma for child complaints and witnesses in sexual offence proceedings.
The Victims’ Support Service presently offers counselling and financial assistance, including help with funeral expenses and medical expenses.
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