The New South Wales state government has announced $100 million is to go towards funding women's safety in public places, at home and at work as part of a focus on the major social issues impacting women in NSW. Separated into three areas, the finding boost follows please from domestic violence service providers needing further support from the Perottet government in the state budget. 

With the full budget to be announced on June 21, here are the key areas of women's safety set to be improved under the NSW government funding. 

Domestic Violence:

$69 million is to go towards an “integrated support system” for victims of domestic violence. Titled Safer Pathways, the government will allocate money for improved case management services, alongside improving police databases used to refer victims to additional support services. 

Street Safety: 

The Perrottet government has committed to working to lessen street harassment, particularly in public spaces after sundown, through spending $30 million across the coming two years to provide better lighting and greater CCTV. 

Funding will initially be directed to Paramatta Park and The Rocks, though more spaces in central and rural Sydney will also be included, these locations slated to be announced in the coming months. 

Work Safety: 

Greater work safety will also be championed under the funding, with a $4.8 million boost towards a taskforce set up through Safe Work NSW. This will assist employers in introducing anti-harassment initiatives and programs in their businesses. 

It is worth noting one in four women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace in Australia, so any efforts for improvement in this area is a step in the right direction for the government. 

There are some notable omissions from the funding, most prescient being long-term housing for women who have been displaced. The NSW state government hasn’t tabled nay long-term solutions for the issue, and one often left overlooked. However, with the full budget still to be announced, this may be included in the official proceedings. 

Image: Pinterest