The Sydney Women’s Fund is announcing a significant campaign to help address domestic and sexual violence that will match the first $150,000 donated by the public, with funds given directly to on-the-ground services. 

“As Australians rightly demand an urgent end to domestic and sexual violence, we have launched the Sydney Women’s Fund Domestic Violence Appeal to directly support the critical work of grassroots service providers working to protect women and families across Greater Sydney,” said Sydney Community Foundation CEO Loredana Fyffe. 

The Sydney Women’s Fund’s matched giving campaign will see every dollar, up to $150,000, doubled by several of its generous major donors up to June 30. 

“We know that women and families need our support without delay, yet effective local programs face ongoing challenges to access the funds needed just to keep their doors open,” said Fyffe. 

“Funds raised in this matched campaign will quickly be provided to organisations that support and protect Sydney women and families escaping violence, and help create pathways to housing, education and employment for vulnerable women.” 

“We know that financial independence can help women leave dangerous situations.” 

CEO of the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre, Nicole Yade, highlighted that their focus is on providing emergency assistance to more women and children by providing safe housing, food and trauma recovery support. 

“We are currently raising money for a Healing and Recovery Coordinator role that would ensure all women and children receive the emergency psychological care and connection they need to live lives free from violence,” said Yade. 

“The ongoing support we receive from Sydney Women’s Fund is needed now more than ever.” 

“Sydney Women’s Fund is our trusted partner, they bring incredible networks and expertise in donor relations, allowing our team to continue our work serving women and children who are escaping domestic violence.” 

Leaders of these services recognise that there is not one solution to keep women safe from violence. They acknowledge that a mix of interventions is needed, from teaching boys respect, to blocking destructive social media influencers, to providing security upgrades to help women stay in their own homes. Police must believe, police must investigate, and the courts must protect. 

“We know that only one in 10 women report what has happened to them. A key component is the lack of trust in the police when they do,” said Karen Iles, Director and Principal Solicitor of Violet Co Legal and Consulting and founder of the #makepoliceinvestigate campaign said. 

“We need to create practices and policies that improve trust in the experience they receive from police and give them confidence that they will hold perpetrators accountable,”  

Siobhan Bryson, CEO of Weave Youth & Community Services, says funding safety measures for women and children experiencing domestic violence is vital. 

“Our work with women who have experienced, or are experiencing, domestic and family violence is in urgent need of funding for safety audits and security upgrades – the cost of new locks, surveillance cameras, and security doors – to ensure women and their children can remain safely in their home while leaving a violent relationship,” said Bryson. 

“Sydney Women’s Fund’s fundraising helps us to put our focus where it needs to be – on the women and children who need our support – rather than having to spend time and resources trying to raise funds for these critical security upgrades.” 

“This funding means our specialist domestic and family violence team do not have to say ‘no’ to women who reach out to us asking for help with basic life-saving security measures.” 

Federal Government commitments of the continued escaping violence payment, and the move to reduce Australian’s exposure to detrimental content online that propels misogyny and disrespect are positive advancements, as is the NSW Government’s plan to commit $230m in a number of critical areas, but more is urgently required. 

“The one thing those at the coalface agree on, is that long discussions on what to do is leaving too many women and children at risk. We must act now,” added Fyffe.