2025 Sees NSW Record Highest Number Of Women Killed By DFV Nationally

New South Wales has once again recorded the highest number of women murdered in a domestic and family violence (DFV) context in 2025.

Over 2025, Counting Dead Women Australia reported that of the 52 women who lost their lives to DFV across Australia in 2025, 15 of them were in NSW. This follows a reported 25 women murdered in 2024, the highest toll in the state in nine years.

Domestic Violence NSW, the peak body for specialist DFV services in the state, says the NSW Government can no longer ignore calls for a 50% increase to core funding for the DFV sector, with services reaching crisis point, forcing staff to turn women and children away from life-saving support.

Delia Donovan, CEO of DVNSW said the situation is untenable and requires immediate government action.

“In early 2025, our members reported average wait times of up to two months for people seeking support,” she said.

“This is essential work and for some women and children, it’s the difference between life and death.

“Imagine the public outcry if there were a two-month wait to be treated in an Emergency Department. Where is that same urgency when women and children are trying to access safety?”

Specialist DFV frontline workers are reporting that many services are only being kept afloat through unpaid overtime, fundraising, and staff covering basic costs out of their own pockets. With referral rates continuing to climb, DVNSW warns that the government cannot rely on goodwill to continue propping up a sector stretch beyond capacity.

Budget continuing to fall short of what is needed

For more than five years, the organisation has called for a 50 per cent increase to baseline funding to help workers meet demand, retain employees, and provide safety to those in crisis.

NSW hasn’t seen a core funding increase for specialist DFV services in state budgets over a decade, despite 6.5 per cent rise in reported DFV assault assaults over 2023-24 when compared to the previous year.

Of the $272 million dedicated to domestic, family, and sexual violence in last year’s budget, there is little investment in increasing service capacity, with only $11.2 million allocated to long-term reform to support earlier intervention.

“The data is clear and the solutions are known. What’s missing is political will,” said Donovan.

“NSW is the wealthiest and most well-resourced states in the country, yet women and children are being forced to return to violence because we cannot commit just 0.1 per cent of the state budget to properly fund the services that save their lives.”

You are not alone. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual or family violence and needs support, you can contact:

• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• LGBTQ+ Rainbow Sexual, Domestic & Family Violence Service Help Line: 1800 385 578
• NSW Mental Health Access Line: 1800 011 511
• Alan Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
• Mensline 1300789978
• Alcohol and Drug Information Service: 1800 250 015
• QLife (3pm to midnight): 1800 184 527
• 13YARN (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander line) – 13 92 76