Staying Home Leaving Violence expands across NSW

Saturday 10 May 2025

More women and children escaping domestic and family violence all across New South Wales will now be able to access support to end an abusive relationship and stay safely in their own homes, with the expansion of the Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program.

As part of last year’s domestic violence Emergency Package, the Minns Labor Government has invested $25.9 million over four years to expand the program across all 128 LGAs.

This includes 12 new providers:

• Linking Communities Network Limited - Cootamundra-Gundagai, Hilltops, Snowy Valleys, Temora and Hilltops LGAs.
• Plus Community - Balranald and Wentworth LGAs.
• Ryde Family Services TA The Northern Centre - Hornsby, Ryde and Hunters Hill LGAs.
• Mary's House Services - Northern Beaches, Lane Cove, Ku-Ring-Gai, Mosman, North Sydney, and Willoughby LGAs.
• Justice Support Centre - Canada Bay and Strathfield LGAs.
• Lithgow Community Projects Incorporated - Blue Mountains and Lithgow LGAs.
• St Vincent de Paul Society NSW - Wingecarribee and Wollondilly LGAs.
• Home-Start National – Goulburn-Mulwaree, Upper Lachlan and Yass Valley LGAs.
• Monaro Family Support Service - Snowy Monaro LGA.
• Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council - Oberon LGA.
• Narrabri and District Community Aid (NDCAS) - Narrabri LGA.
• Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation - Gunnedah LGA.

One final service provider for Bourke LGA is still being finalised.

Last financial year, SHLV supported 6,500 victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, including 1,293 children who have experienced abuse.

A 2022 evaluation found the program to "effectively contribute to the long‑term safety and housing stability of women and families" and achieved enhanced wellbeing for women and children affected by domestic and family violence.

Under the program, local police make sure the perpetrator is removed from the home, while victim-survivors receive safety planning, security upgrades at properties where required, financial planning assistance and help navigating complex legal processes. 

The Minns Labor Government is continuing to build a safer New South Wales by addressing domestic and family violence from all angles, from boosting crisis response, strengthening bail laws, and focusing on earlier intervention and primary prevention.

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

“Too often victim-survivors of domestic and family violence are forced to leave their homes in order to escape abuse.

“Staying Home Leaving Violence helps the victim-survivor to stay safely in their own home, or a home of their choice and to keep important connections in their own community. This program aims to support women to live in safety and to maintain housing stability

“Keeping women and children connected to their families, support network, schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods is so important for their recovery. People should not be forced to abandon those connections to escape a violent situation.”

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 on 13 92 76.