In 2024 there were 39 domestic violence-related murders across New South Wales and over 38,000 incidences of domestic violence-related assault reported to police. In 2023 there were 58 women killed across Australia.
Yesterday saw candlelight vigils across the country as National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day took place.
NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said, ‘these are more than numbers, these are, largely, women and children who had their right to safety taken from them in their own home. These numbers represent women who were valued members of their communities, who were deeply loved and whose absence continues to be mourned.’
Over the last three years, there has been a nearly 30 per cent increase in the number of women killed in domestic and family violence related homicides. On average, a woman in Australia dies every seven days from domestic and family violence.
‘Domestic, family, and sexual violence is present in all levels of our community. Rates of homicide of women and children are tragically high and show no sign of decreasing,’ Ambyr Johnston, Program Manager for the Women’s Resource Service told The Echo.
Photo Jeff Dawson
All words no commitment?
Ms Harrison re-affirmed the NSW government’s ‘commitment to work with experts. stakeholders, community members, victim survivors and across party lines to address domestic and family violence’
However, as Ms Johnxton highlighted ‘politicians remain largely silent; in the recent election campaigns, DFSV was hardly mentioned. Calls by peak bodies such as DV NSW to increase frontline funding by 50 per cent are ignored. We as a community cannot afford to wait for the government to step in and save the day.
‘In the words of the Women’s Safety Commissioner, Hannah Tonkin, who I am listening to speak this morning: “DFSV is a whole of community problem and it requires a whole of community solution”.’
Get help
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.
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