The Public Service Association of NSW (PSA) has welcomed the aims of the NSW Government's new strategy to address domestic and family violence perpetration, but has warned it will fail without tackling the privatised mess of frontline DV services.
The strategy, launched yesterday by Minister Jodie Harrison, is focused on disrupting perpetrators and holding them accountable. But it says nothing about addressing the fragmented patchwork of underfunded community organisations responsible for keeping women and children safe.
PSA General Secretary Stewart Little said the strategy was a missed opportunity.
"You cannot be serious about keeping women safe while leaving their protection to an uneven patchwork of community-run refuges surviving on measly grants and fundraising," Mr Little said.
"Two women a week are killed by a current or former partner in this country. That demands a serious government response, not another strategy that papers over the cracks in our service system."
Mr Little said the death of Molly Ticehurst was a devastating example of what happens when governments outsource their responsibilities. Ms Ticehurst was killed in her Forbes home after a private contractor failed to install court-ordered security measures.
"Molly Ticehurst should be alive. A contractor paid by the NSW Government was meant to install security screens and duress alarms. They didn't turn up. She was killed," Mr Little said.
"We have a dedicated force for fires, for crime, for health emergencies. We need a dedicated government-run organisation to help DV survivors. This strategy doesn't even mention one."
The PSA noted that NSW already has the expertise and infrastructure to deliver a more comprehensive response. The Mt Druitt Family Violence Centre, is the only government-run DV centre in NSW, has been described by Treasury Secretary Michael Coutts-Trotter as "the gold standard". The centre is staffed by child protection caseworkers who work closely with local police.
Mr Little said the government's own Joint Child Protection Response Program, which brings together police, child protection and housing services, could be extended to cover domestic violence.
"There is massive overlap between child protection and domestic violence. NSW has 2,300 child protection caseworkers with the skills and experience to support DV survivors. The Premier needs to boost their numbers and expand their remit," Mr Little said.
"If Chris Minns needs to lean on the Commonwealth to get the dollars, so be it. But no strategy can be taken seriously while the government continues to subcontract its responsibilities to keep women safe."
Contact: Tim Brunero 0405 285 547
