Domestic Violence NSW has said services across the state are at breaking point with soaring demand and lengthy wait times following the release of new data.

New data released by DVNSW revealed an 'alarming' 96 percent of specialist Domestic and family violence services reporting a spike in demand, however funding has not increased and claimed the services are 'collapsing under the weight of need.'

According to the data 94 percent of NSW specialist domestic violence services saw an increase in demand between May and March 2024 to 2025 compared to the previous year with a two month average wait for critical support and an average of 33 people per waitlist.

DVNSW said across metro and regional NSW specialist domestic and family violence serves report waitlists stretching for weeks to months with some services having no choice but to close their books while trying to meet demand.

"These services are the frontline responders to the domestic violence crisis," DVNSW CEO Delia Donovan said.

"It's like sending a paramedic to a major emergency with just one ambulance - forces to make impossible choices about who gets help and who is left without life saving support."

Ms Donovan believes without an increase to funding the reality for victim/survivors and the sector as a whole would be dire.

"We need proper resourcing for victim/survivors and the frontline services - investment that ensures every person at risk, has somewhere safe to turn," Ms Donovan said.

DVNSW said the data highlighted the systemic issues can't be fixed through temporary injections of money and program expansions alone.

"A meaningful and long term investment in baseline funding is needed in the upcoming NSW Budget if the government is serious about working to end domestic and family violence," Ms Donovan said.

"For years now, a baseline funding increase has been our top priority budget ask.

"More than ever, i's needed to keep frontline services running and ensure women and children escaping violence have somewhere to turn."

DVNSW has stated ending domestic and family violence requires real investment because failing to act is costing lives.

Domestic violence facts:

- In 2024,79 women were killed by violence – the highest count in nine years (Counting Dead Women Australia 2024).

- NSW recorded 25 deaths – the highest number of gender-based murders in the country.

- NSW has recorded the highest murder toll nine times in the past eleven years.

- In NSW over 2023-24, compared to the year prior, there has been a:

- 6.5 percent rise in domestic and family violence-related assaults

- 7.6 percent increase in intimidation, stalking and harassment

- 6.9 percent more apprehended domestic violence orders (ADVOs)

- 9 percent more breaches of ADVOs (BOCSAR 2024).

- 1 in 4 women (27 percent) has experienced violence, emotional abuse, or economic abuse by a cohabitating partner since the age of 15 (ABS 2023).

- Women are more likely to experience violence from someone they know than by a stranger (35 percent vs 11%) (ABS 2023).

- Men are more commonly the perpetrators of physical violence, sexual harassment, and sexual violence (ABS 2023).

- NSW police attend a domestic and family violence call approximately every 2 minutes (Department of Communities and Justice, 2020).