North Shore Living investigates the current landscape of domestic violence here on the North Shore – what local support is available, and what this assistance may look like into the future.
It was recently announced that the NSW Government would provide a $20 million funding boost to help victim- survivors of domestic and sexual violence. This package, announced in August 2022, is part of a joint $140 million commitment from the Australian and NSW governments under the National Partnership on Family, Domestic, and Sexual Violence Responses 2021-23.
Northern Sydney local and Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence, Natalie Ward, said this new funding will provide additional support to specialist front-line services across NSW, as well as allow for the trial of innovative new programs.
“Over half of the funding is for services that directly assist victim-survivors, giving them the help they need to recover from their traumatic experiences and start a new chapter in their lives,” Minister Ward said.
But how will this benefit services and the community here on the North Shore?
The lower North Shore’s Mary’s House Services is a grassroots-community organisation that exists to provide support for women and children who have experienced domestic violence, enabling them to be safe, hopeful, and empowered to rebuild their lives.
A spokesperson for the service told North Shore Living the domestic violence service sector is ‘underfunded and under- resourced’.
“Mary’s House Services welcomes the increased financial support in a sector that is underfunded and under-resourced, especially given the huge increase in demand for services that has been experienced in the last 12 months,” the spokesperson said.
“Historically, funding has not been available to support already established services, like Mary’s House Services, and it is not clear at this stage if Mary’s House Services will benefit from this funding.”
The spokesperson also said while the NSW crime statistics report that domestic violence-related assault is ‘stable’ on the North Shore, the referrals the service receives ‘paint a different picture’.
“We are seeing referrals that are increasing in complexity and severity. It is important to remember that domestic violence occurs across all cultural and socio-economic groups. It can take several forms, and any of them are serious because of the harm they cause.
“Referrals to Mary’s House have significantly increased over the past 12 months, with many referrals coming from suburbs on the North Shore.”
The spokesperson maintained Marys House will continue to identify the gaps in the sector and respond to the needs of women and children impacted by domestic violence locally.
Another essential service responding to the needs of women victim-survivors in the North Sydney area, particularly around Mosman, is the Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter (NBWS), formerly Manly Women’s Shelter.
NBWS is a non-profit, community-funded charitable organisation providing crisis accommodation, support, safety, and services for local homeless women.
“The level of need is beyond the level of service capacity,”
Kirstie Christensen, fundraising and communications manager for the Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter.
According to the service, 40 per cent of women who seek their assistance do so for domestic violence reasons. Other reasons include mental health, financial hardship, and for drug and alcohol-related reasons.
North Shore Living spoke with Kirstie Christensen, fundraising and communications manager at NBWS, who said the service is reporting high levels of referrals for victims needing accommodation.
Ms Christensen says the service provider is being forced to turn away some women in need of help due to a lack of accommodation.
“Our service has also seen an increase in women needing outreach support and there is also a lack of direct service support for men experiencing domestic violence in the region,” Kirstie says.
“The Lower North Shore Domestic Violence Network has member services throughout the area who work closely to ensure we provide wrap-around support, so if we cannot provide the support then we find another service who can provide the support.
“But the level of need is beyond the level of service capacity.”
NBWS patron, local MP James Griffin, says there is ‘record level of funding available’ and he is in regular discussion with the Minister Ward to advocate for an increase in funding to services.
“I have a clear view of how important this funding is. The need for services is an unfortunate reality in our area as domestic violence does not discriminate by postcode,” Mr Griffin admits.