Domestic Violence NSW

Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW) is the peak body for specialist domestic and family violence services in New South Wales. We work from a feminist, social justice perspective and recognise that domestic and family violence (DFV) is serious, prevalent and driven by gender inequality.

DVNSW works to improve the spectrum of policy, legislative and program responses to domestic and family violence (DFV) and to eliminate DFV through leadership in advocacy, partnerships and promotion of good practice.

1. DVNSW is a feminist, social justice organisation. We recognise that DFV is serious, prevalent and driven by gender inequality. DFV is a fundamental violation of human rights, a public health issue and a crime.

2. DFV is inclusive of any behaviour, in an intimate or family relationship, which is violent, threatening, coercive or controlling, causing a person to live in fear. It is usually manifested as part of a pattern of controlling or coercive behaviour.

3. DFV occurs in all types of personal or family relationships or intimate partnerships and care arrangements. The primary victim-survivors are women and their children.

4. DVNSW supports the evidence outlined in Our Watch’s Change the Story; that gender inequality creates the necessary social context for the gendered drivers of DFV and that DFV is preventable when communities and sectors work together with a shared vision and collective action.