Almost $500 million will be spent to help people fleeing domestic violence in NSW as part of a landmark investment to tackle the leading cause of homelessness for women and children.
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Premier Dominic Perrottet says the government will provide $484.3 million - the single-biggest investment to ending domestic and family violence in the state's history.
"Everyone has the right to live a life free from violence and abuse, a right that is far too often callously eroded by those who perpetrate domestic violence," Mr Perrottet said on Tuesday.
The money will be spent on support services and 75 more women's refuges as well as 200 long-term affordable housing dwellings for women experiencing domestic violence.
NSW Police respond to more than 140,000 domestic violence incidents every year and on average, one woman is killed every nine days in Australia by a current or former partner.
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said in 2019/20, almost 40 per cent of the people who accessed specialist homelessness services in NSW had experienced domestic abuse.
"It is so important that when women are victims of violence that they have the choice, they are able to find the refuge to be able to pursue their lives and to have really good outcomes - not only for the victim ... but for their children," Ms Taylor said.
Domestic violence survivor Wendy Boyd said her life was turned around when she was offered affordable, safe housing and other support.
"I changed my life. I found stability. I'm studying law and five or six years ago I was an emotional mess," she told reporters.
Chair of Domestic Violence NSW Annabelle Daniel welcomed the extension of crucial services, saying there was an urgent need for refuge supports in rural, regional and remote areas across NSW.
"Specialist domestic and family violence services are a lifeline for women and children fleeing abuse," she said.
"We know the numbers of people in need being turned away are continuously increasing due to lack of space."
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO Jack de Groot said "this is the kind of announcement we have been seeking from government for some time".
He noted that from Tuesday women leaving violent relationships can also start accessing payments of up to $5000, in a two-year trial funded by the federal government.
The Community Housing Industry Association NSW says access to refuges and long-term community housing will help remove one of the biggest obstacles for women and their children to safely escape family violence.
"The rate of homelessness among Australian women is skyrocketing and domestic violence is a leading cause," CEO Mark Degotardi said.
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Australian Associated Press