Staffing shortfalls see domestic violence services in crisis
As the country deals with a crisis in domestic violence, it seems in some locations there is a failure to fill gaps left by a diminishing number of domestic violence workers.
A Sydney hotspot for domestic violence could see one of its major lifelines close its doors, as it buckles under additional strain of staff shortages amid rising need for services – an incident that prompted us at The Wire to take a look at the situation in other parts of the country.
Currently, just two of the required seven case worker positions are filled at the Western Sydney Nepean Blue Mountains Domestic Violence Service. The union representing the organisation says the ‘service saves hundreds of women’s lives each year’, providing ‘first contact’ to women escaping partner violence.