The NSW Government has provided a $250,000 grant to Anglicare North Coast to continue their domestic and family violence program for migrant and refugee communities, Next Level, in the Coffs Harbour region.

We recognise the unique needs of migrants and refugees whose domestic, family and sexual violence experiences can be further impacted by other factors, such as social and institutional barriers that inhibit access to services and systems that are available.

The funding provided by the NSW Government means new and existing participants can access the program. It also enables transition pathways to local and culturally safe support so that work to improve the safety of women and children and prevent domestic and family violence in multicultural communities can be maintained.

The Next Level program has already achieved positive outcomes for local families, women and children from multicultural backgrounds by providing holistic, in-language and culturally appropriate responses to domestic, family and sexual violence.

In the past year, 150 men and women from migrant and refugee backgrounds have participated in Next Level group work, as well as individual case management and counselling. The program has improved participants’ safety and wellbeing by advancing gender equality and promoting respectful relationships.

It has also proven effective in engaging with migrant and refugee men to have difficult conversations about their abusive behaviours. Through strong community connections, it has been able to intervene early and contribute to preventing and reducing violence against women and children from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

Anglicare’s program had previously been funded by the Federal government.

Funding by the NSW Government will ensure Next Level is funded to November 2025. It is part of the government’s ongoing work to create a safer New South Wales, by addressing domestic and family violence in a comprehensive way from primary prevention, earlier intervention to crisis responses and recovery.

To address the unique needs of victim survivors from multicultural backgrounds, the government has also invested $4.4 million in the NSW Multicultural Centre for Women’s and Family Safety.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Government is continuing to work on building a safer New South Wales. We are taking a whole of government and whole of community approach to achieve the shared vision of ending gender-based violence.

“The Next Level program has demonstrated that it is effective in engaging with multicultural communities in the Coffs Harbour area, and implementing culturally safe strategies that prevent domestic and family violence in the community.

“That is why the NSW Government has stepped in to fund this program to ensure participants are fully supported to live safe and free from violence.”

Labor spokesperson for Coffs Harbour Cameron Murphy MLC said:

“I welcome the NSW Government’s significant support for the Next Level program.

“The program is vital for Coffs Harbour as it provides culturally appropriate support for migrants as we all work towards safe and respectful relationships in our community.”

CEO of Anglicare North Coast Mark McNamara said:

“Most of our program participants have experienced major trauma and loss, left their country, their homes and communities, to save their lives and search for a better way of life.

“Anglicare North Coast has seen the impact Next Level has had on local refugee and migrant communities, particularly their attitudes towards family relationships and gender-based violence.

“We have seen men in our group program openly embrace behaviour change strategies and gender equality, including advocating in their communities for family safety and respectful relationships.

“We have identified women at risk of experiencing domestic and family violence, and provided culturally safe support and individual counselling to prevent violence and abuse.

“I would like to thank the loyalty and professionalism shown by our program participants, staff and partners who kept the faith since the program was defunded in June 2024.

“This funding from the NSW Government will ensure we can continue to support our participants for the next year as they build their new lives in Coffs Harbour free from violence.”

Support services:

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 on 13 92 76.