HOTELS across the state are offering up their spare rooms in an effort to tackle the recent rise in domestic violence.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Domestic Violence NSW have received an "overwhelming" response from accommodation providers.
Given the crisis accommodation offerings, a central register is now available to assist women and children with finding appropriate, temporary places to stay and access to a variety of services.
DVNSW's Renata Field said their support had adapted quickly to the changing conditions as a result of COVID-19.
"More resources and therapeutic supports have moved online, whilst refuges are safe, have vacancies and are providing intensive levels of wrap-around support," she said.
"However, this additional accommodation coming online now will help relieve pressure points across the system in the response to women escaping domestic violence, as well as helping refuges and shelters that need additional accommodation to meet state health requirements for social distancing and self-isolation."
In other news:
Wagga had seen the same kindness from hotel services, according to Wagga Family Support's Nani Coulter.
"Our service was contacted by couple of hotels to offer support to women who needed accommodation to escape domestic violence situations," the Director of Women's Domestic Violence Support said.
"It's good to know the community was calling in to offer what they could, and these are hotels who have offered us their support even prior to COVID-19 too."
Ms Coulter said accommodation wasn't the only need of women as the crisis unfolds.
"We are seeing more people in need of hampers and food, or financial support, so that kind of help is vital too," she said.
DVNSW is pushing for the state government to improve the availability of current domestic violence support resources.
This includes aspects like increasing the provision of temporary accommodation from a minimum approval of five days to 14 days, increasing funding to specialist services to provide wrap around support to women placed in temporary accommodation, and removing barriers to access for women on temporary visas.
"Whilst we are delighted that the NSW government has provided an additional $14.32 million funding for temporary accommodation over the next 15 months, it is essential that this budget is used effectively to ensure that women and children who are at risk are provided with a safe place to live, with adequate support, for an appropriate amount of time," Ms Field said.