Randwick Council will provide financial assistance to a local domestic violence support agency for the next five years. Funds will enable the agency to increase outreach services to three days a week within the Randwick City area, Randwick Mayor Lindsay Shurey said.

“Randwick women and children who experience domestic violence need to travel outside the area in order to access services that will be of most benefit to them. This is unreasonable.

“In Randwick City, between 2016 and 2017, there were 373 reports made to police of women or children suffering at the hands of another person. We need to do whatever must be done in order to increase the capacity for support agencies to meet this demand.”

Mayor Shurey said rates of recorded domestic violence incidences show this is a widespread community issue, and as such is a key priority for the Council as proposed in the Our Community Our Future plan.

“The statistics around violence against women and violence in the home suggests that it is vital we as a community continue to talk about domestic violence and ensure that women feel heard, supported and understood.

“On average across the country, one woman is killed every week by her partner. One in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by someone known to them. Domestic and family violence is the principal cause of homelessness for women and their children.

“Women escaping violence need assistance to engage with various services to help rebuild their lives, and this funding will allow that to happen.

“I’m proud to be Mayor of a City taking positive action on this important issue. We have a long way to go, but this is another good step in the right direction.”