$5.2 million for community-led prevention programs to address domestic violence

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

The Minns Labor Government is continuing to build a safer New South Wales for women and children escaping domestic, family and sexual violence, by investing nearly $5.2 million to stop the violence before it starts.

The investment will fund 11 community organisations to run programs locally to help drive down domestic, family and sexual violence across New South Wales.

For example, projects will look at:

• helping young men build healthy masculinities and improve attitudes towards women (with Top Blokes)
• improving young people’s understanding of consent and gendered drivers of violence (with Consent Labs)
• promoting teamwork, respect, fair play and gender equality to sport participants and coaches (with Moriarty Foundation)
• empowering multicultural communities through education, leadership workshops and peer support (Zen Tea Lounge).

The Primary Prevention Multi-Year Partnerships Grant Program is a key part of the Minns Labor Government’s whole-of-government, whole-of-community effort to change attitudes and behaviours that tolerate or condone violence against women.

Programs will focus on men and boys, children and young people, multicultural and refugee communities, LGBTIQ+ communities, and those working with First Nations communities.

The grant program is delivered under Pathways to Prevention: NSW Strategy for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence 2024-2028, the state’s first dedicated strategy for primary prevention.

The Minns Labor Government has invested $38 million into rolling out the strategy and primary prevention initiatives. They include the recently announced Multisport Coalition with sporting organisations and the Local Government NSW partnership to support local councils and communities in primary prevention programs.

Primary prevention is a part of a wider NSW Government effort to addressing domestic violence, which includes supporting victim-survivors, holding perpetrators to account and earlier intervention. This includes:

• $48 million to expand the Staying Home Leaving Violence Program statewide, and the Integrated Domestic Family and Violence Service.
• Changing the law to make it harder than ever for alleged domestic violence offenders to get bail
• Introducing electronic monitoring for alleged serious domestic violence offenders
• Strengthening laws to protect against repeated breaches of apprehended domestic violence orders.

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

“Domestic, family and sexual violence is preventable which is why this government is making a concerted effort to stop violence before it starts.

“The Primary Prevention Multi-Year Partnerships Grant Program is a long-term initiative to help local communities challenge the underlying attitudes which can lead to abusive behaviour.

“We’re taking a whole-of-community approach to address domestic, family and sexual violence and our local communities are a critical part of that. Local organisations know what works in their communities and can help shift the dial on attitudes and behaviours underlying this type of violence.”

NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner, Dr Hannah Tonkin said:

“Local community organisations can play a crucial role in preventing domestic, family and sexual violence.

“They’re in a unique position to increase understanding and awareness at the local level, build trust with community members, respond to local needs and drive lasting change.

“Meaningful change can only occur when all levels of the Government and community work together to eliminate violence, so these grants represent a positive step.”

Daniel Allars, NSW State Manager at Top Blokes Foundation, said:

“Every community deserves to be safe, inclusive, and free from violence.

“This funding means we can back more young blokes to build respectful relationships, challenge outdated stereotypes, and become the kind of mates, partners and leaders our communities need.”

Support:

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.

If you are worried about your own behaviour and use of violence, contact the Men’s Referral Service online or by phone on 1300 766 491.