Staying Home Leaving Violence
Responsible government
- New South Wales
Fourth Action Plan actions
- Improve support and service system responses
- 20 Improve access to suitable and safe accommodation within their communities for women who have experienced domestic, family and sexual violence.
What are we doing?
Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) is a specialised domestic and family violence program that aims to reduce risk to women and children experiencing domestic and family violence and prevent them from experiencing homelessness. SHLV supports women and children to stay safely in their own home, or a home of their choice, while the perpetrator is removed.
The SHLV service model is based on prevention and early intervention principles, with case management activities focusing on preventing women and families from becoming homeless as a result of domestic violence.
The program works in cooperation with NSW Police and helps victims with safety planning, improving home security, managing finances and navigating legal processes.
Services are located in communities where rates of violence are high.
What have we achieved so far?
SHLV commenced as a pilot in two locations, and is now delivered in 33 locations across NSW. The latest expansion occurred through the NSW Homelessness Strategy 2018–2023, with six new SHLV locations added.
Information about SHLV is available in 22 languages, including English.
The Greater Sydney COVID-19 Delta outbreak in July 2021 has had the greatest impact in eight LGAs of concern, leading to tighter restrictions in south-west and western Sydney. Most of these LGAs are serviced by SHLV services and providers in these locations have needed to ensure they can adapt to COVD-safe service provision, while maintaining continuous service as an essential service for the safety of women and children.
What is next?
As part of the 21-22 NSW Budget, the Government committed an extra $32.5 million over four years to expand SHLV across the state to assist victim-survivors. An evaluation of the SHLV program is being undertaken in 2021. It is anticipated that the evaluation will be finalised in early 2022.
What difference will we make?
SHLV aims to prevent homelessness of women and children experiencing domestic and family violence, and reduce the likelihood of displacement and disruption to children’s educational, personal and social development.
The intended long-term outcomes are:
- victim–survivors experience long-term stability in housing, income, education and healthy relationships;
- clients are free from domestic and family violence in their own home, and remain so over time; and,
- children, families and communities are healthier, safer and more resilient.