The National Alliance for DFV Specialist Services (NADFVSS) has released a statement in response to the DFV Commissioner’s 2nd Annual Report to Parliament.
RESPONSE TO THE DFV COMMISSIONER’S SECOND ANNUAL REPORT 31 October 2025
The second annual report on the progress of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children from the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner, Micaela Cronin, serves as a powerful reminder of the commitment made by the Federal and State/Territory governments to end violence against women and children within a generation, and the work still to be done in order to achieve this goal.
As noted by the Commissioner, the next phase of our collaborative work towards ending violence against women and children is dependent on commitment and choice. As the National Alliance of Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services, we represent over 400 specialist domestic and family violence service providers across the country. We know that a future where all Australians are able to live a life free of violence is possible. We also know that there is a wealth of expertise, lived experience, and knowledge held by our communities, our DFV service providers, and our workforce, and that solutions exist.
At the same time, the services we represent are acutely feeling the damaging impacts of the unsustainable pressure placed on them, as they try to meet increasing demands. We welcome the Commissioner’s reflections on the need for a demand and needs analysis with a view to developing a National funding mapping framework – and call for all levels of government to immediately invest in the specialist DFV workforce. We must make dedicated efforts towards providing support and capacity-building opportunities while addressing worker burnout.
We welcome the Commission’s focus on the urgency of improving dedicated service responses to children and young people, and addressing the significant service delivery gaps that exist for unaccompanied young people seeking support. The DFV Specialist Service sector has long held the view that it is crucial to actively listen to and consult with children and young people as we continue this work. We welcome the Commission’s recommendations regarding the meaningful embedding of lived experience in future action planning.
In order to build a future free from violence, the systems and services that support our communities must be safe, accessible and sustainable. It is a national responsibility to support and adequately fund community-led service responses for priority communities including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people living with disabilities, the LGBTIQA+SB community and refugee and migrant communities.
As the National Alliance, we call on all levels of Government to commit to real action in light of the Commissioner’s recommendations. We endorse the Commission’s calls to immediately commence the next Action Planning process, and we look forward to continuing to work together to end violence everywhere.
Ending DFV requires sustained investment of resources and effort; it can’t be confined to an election cycle. This is ongoing, long-term, human rights work.
National Alliance of Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services
31 October 2025
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The National Alliance of Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services (the DFV Alliance) represents the interests of specialist domestic and family violence (DFV) services across all jurisdictions in Australia. The DFV Alliance includes funded and non-funded formal peak entities, representative networks, and service providers in an informal representative function.
The statement is available to download here: