Governments must fund long-term recovery as a core part of Australia’s response to domestic, family and sexual violence, the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre says following the release of a major national report.
The Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission’s 2026 Yearly Report to Parliament warns that increased effort and investment are still not delivering change at the scale or pace required.
It calls for investment in the housing, financial security, legal assistance, health care, counselling and practical support people need to achieve safety and rebuild their lives.
Centre CEO Elise Phillips said the Commission’s recognition of recovery as essential to safety must now be reflected in government budgets and the Second Action Plan under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032.
“Funding for recovery must be long-term and reliable, so services can meet demand and women are not left waiting months for support. It must also reach regional communities, where access is too often determined by postcode,” Ms Phillips said.
