A Lismore-based domestic family and sexual violence housing and support service has welcomed a $5m NSW government investment to ‘strengthen justice responses for victim-survivors of sexual violence’
In a joint statement, the federal and state Labor Governments say the money will also go to supporting victim-survivors ‘to understand the justice system and access specialist legal support’.
They say, ‘The investment establishes specialist sexual violence justice system navigators, expands legal assistance services and strengthens workforce capability to ensure victim-survivors receive clear information, practical support and trauma-informed assistance’.
Jillian Knight-Smith, CEO for Women Up North Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Housing and support services, told The Echo, ‘Women Up North welcomes this initiative and looks forward to receiving further detail’.
‘We agree that the current system is daunting and often retraumatising. It is understandable that many chose not to report. ‘Meaningful change will require a sustained investment of time and resources.
‘A whole‑of‑government and community approach which expands the systems responding to victims and includes support and community education will help to ensure the system becomes safer, more accessible, and navigable for those who need and rely on it and inform the families and communities that support them on the journey’.
According to the government, the Strengthening Sexual Violence Justice Responses package includes:
• $1.55 million for the Sexual Violence Community Justice System Navigators Pilot in up to five locations across New South Wales. Specialist sexual violence workers will be located in community-based organisations for two years from June 2026. They will support victim survivors through the complex justice system and provide critical information about their rights and options at all stages of the process.
• $1.35 million for specialist sexual violence navigators to be embedded in up to four Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (WDVCAS) and NSW Police co-location program sites to strengthen responses for victim-survivors of sexual violence, particularly in domestic and family violence contexts and when reporting to police.
• $1.7 million to expand Legal Aid NSW’s capacity to better meet the demand and the complex needs of sexual violence victim-survivors. This includes providing victim-survivors with additional specialist legal advice and expanding support to victim-survivors prior to them making a criminal complaint.
• $220,000 toward workforce development to make sure appropriate supports are provided for the new and existing navigator workforce to ensure sustainable impact and strengthen cross sector collaboration.
• $180,000 to research feasible models of restorative justice in New South Wales and build awareness of existing services.
‘The package aims to empower victim-survivors to make informed choices, enhance access to justice with continuous support throughout the criminal justice process, and build the capacity of the existing service system to better meet the needs of victim-survivors. It has been informed by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) research into sexual violence complainants’ experiences and attrition of sexual assaults from the justice system.
‘It is funded through the Federation Funding Agreement with the Commonwealth Government and informed by the Australian Law Reform Commission’s 2025 report Safe, Informed, Supported: Reforming Justice Responses to Sexual Violence.
‘The funding is part of the NSW Government’s wider investment to address domestic, family and sexual violence, including an additional $272.7 million over four years in our 2025/26 budget.
‘These initiatives support the NSW Government’s commitment under the NSW Sexual Violence Plan 2022–2027 and national commitments under the Standing Council of Attorneys-General Work Plan to Strengthen Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Assault 2022-2027 to enhance survivor centred, trauma-informed justice responses.
‘To participate in the tender for the $1.55 million for the Sexual Violence Community Justice System Navigators Pilot, prepare by registering on Procurement Central. For guidance on how to register, refer to the online user guide’.
Support:
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.
For information on Men’s Behaviour Change Programs operating in your local area, contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
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