New statistics released today by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) have shone a light on the need for urgent action, as domestic violence assault and sexual assault have increased significantly across New South Wales over the last five years.
 
In the five years to September 2022 instances of domestic violence increased by 13.1% while in the same period reports of sexual assault increased by 25.9%.
 
The five year increases in domestic and sexual assaults was seen across both metropolitan Sydney areas and regional areas, with some regions seeing increases of up to 80%.
 
As reported by the ABC domestic violence accounts for approximately 40% of calls for assistance to police across NSW.
 
It was also reported that there were 22,244 reported AVO breaches in NSW in 2022, up from 15,644 in 2018.

"These are heartbreaking statistics and behind every one of them is a real person who is the victim of a crime which should not have occurred," Shadow Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said.
 
In July 2022 NSW Labor announced that a Minns Labor Government will provide an additional $923,000 a year to the NSW Sexual Violence Helpline to ensure that this vital support can continue to provide critical, 24/7 state-wide specialist counselling service for people impacted by sexual violence. A one-off payment of $467,679 will also be provided to help Full Stop improve access to sexual violence services in priority populations.

In the wake of these sobering statistics, NSW Labor reiterate our call for the Liberal National Government to match this funding commitment, to ensure that such essential services continue and are accessible.
 
NSW Labor have also promised to deliver certainty to the domestic violence and sexual assault sector by providing NGO’s with long term five year funding arrangements. This will ensure these essential services have the funding security they require to not only deliver services but to plan for the future.

"NSW Labor have already made several commitments to improve women’s safety across NSW but we know there is more to be done," Ms Harrison said. 

"We will continue to engage respectfully and meaningfully with the sector and government on stopping the trajectory of this data.
 
"Real change will only come if there is political will and action is taken, which is why we implore the Liberal Government to match our funding commitment to the NSW Sexual Violence Helpline. There must always be someone at the other end of the phone when a victim needs support.
 
"These statistics are harrowing but they are not inevitable. NSW Labor reassert our commitment to take meaningful action in this space."