The Hunter's specialist family and domestic violence support network has rejected calls for a publicly-funded domestic and family violence service. The Public Service Association of NSW launched a campaign on Tuesday advocating for a public service model integrated with policing, housing, health, and child protection, arguing that Australia's domestic violence response is failing women due to fragmented and outsourced services.
The Hunter DFV Consortium, representing several Hunter-based organisations, joined DVNSW in opposing a costly and disruptive restructure, instead calling for increased funding. Brittany Jack, CEO of Nova for Women and Children, acknowledged that the system under stress has let down some women and children but emphasized that improving funding by 50% would lead to better outcomes, noting that most operators are working at 150% of their funded capacity.
Ms. Jack criticized the PSA campaign for overlooking the unique contributions of not-for-profits and NGOs, which arose from gaps left by government. She warned that a public model might alienate victim-survivors, particularly Aboriginal women, due to mistrust of government systems stemming from systemic racism. She stressed the need to better fund community services and empower their work.
Carolyn Hodge, acting CEO of DVNSW, called for a significant funding increase to meet demand and disagreed with moving to a public service model. She found the PSA campaign's timing disappointing as NSW heads into a critical budget period, and argued that the campaign undermines 50 years of specialist service delivery. She stated there is no evidence that a centralised model would improve outcomes and that transitioning would be costly and disruptive, likely reducing service capacity.
Ms. Hodge highlighted that services are already operating at up to nine times their funded capacity after more than a decade of stagnant funding, with regional areas facing additional challenges like geographical isolation. She advocated for properly funding and strengthening the existing specialist sector. Minister Jodie Harrison acknowledged the PSA campaign but highlighted the role of NGOs, noting that women, particularly Aboriginal women, may feel safer seeking support from community-based services.
