$2 million to roll out standalone Aboriginal Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Plan

Thursday, 5 June 2025

The Minns Labor Government has this week announced an investment of $2 million in the upcoming NSW Budget to start rolling out the State’s first Aboriginal Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence (DFSV) Plan to better support victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

It responds directly to calls from the Aboriginal community for a dedicated response to domestic, family and sexual violence in Aboriginal communities.

Aboriginal women in New South Wales are eight times more likely to be recorded as a victim of domestic violence than non-Aboriginal women.

Co-designed and developed in partnership with the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, Aboriginal community stakeholders and the broader domestic violence sector, the standalone Plan will elevate and integrate the voices and lived experiences of Aboriginal children, women, and communities impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence.

The NSW Aboriginal DFSV Plan will support the Government’s commitments under the National Agreement to Closing the Gap, including Target 13 – to bring about a significant and sustained reduction in all forms of violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children towards zero.

The Plan will be released in late 2025.

Today’s funding announcement is in addition to the $20 million allocated from the Commonwealth National Partnership Agreement on Domestic and Family Violence to progress Target 13 initiatives.

It is also part of the Minns Labor Government’s $272.7 million domestic and family violence package to strengthen and build a more robust system to support victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“We know that Aboriginal communities experience domestic and family violence at much higher rates than other communities and this funding is another vital step in helping to keep more Aboriginal women and children safe.

“All the evidence tells us that when Aboriginal communities drive change in partnership with Government, better outcomes are achieved, and we’re fully committed to that.

“We are continuing to turn our Closing the Gap commitments for shared decision making into action, by working with Aboriginal organisations to lead the way in keeping families safe.”

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

“Family violence wreaks devastation throughout the community. The number of Aboriginal families experiencing domestic and family violence is tragic and unacceptable.

“We are working closely with Aboriginal organisations in developing our first dedicated Aboriginal Domestic and Family Violence Plan, and will continue to do so as we roll out programs to address domestic violence in Aboriginal families and communities.

“We know that co-designed initiatives and approaches lead to better outcomes for Aboriginal women and children, supporting self-determination, healing and recovery.”