The ‘Safer Pathway’ program aims to reduce the trauma of victims of domestic violence by not making them keep on having to repeat their stories of pain and anguish.

Minister for Women and Prevention of Domestic Violence Pru Goward said it was an important program.

"Courageous victims who have been left traumatised and terrified no longer have to shop around to get the services they need, nor do they have to re-tell their story to a multitude of government agencies," Ms Goward said.

Ms Goward was at the Nowra Police Station recently to launch the program with Member for the South Coast Shelley Hancock.

The program brings together local representatives including police, health, corrections, family and community services and education along with local specialist non-government domestic and family violence services, creating a streamlined, integrated referral pathway for victims who are ‘at threat’ or ‘at serious threat’ to their life, health or safety.

Mrs Hancock said domestic violence was something the entire community should be concerned about.

“Domestic violence is a scourge and has no place in our community, Safer Pathway brings the right supports together to assist victims with their recovery from abusive relationships.,” she said

Safer Pathway builds on but does not replace existing services.

When a victim requests help, the agency contacted will assess their level of threat and this will enable a referral to the most appropriate services, depending on the level of threat faced by the victim.

Where a victim is male, Victims Services, which is part of the Department of Justice, will coordinate the support required.  

When police attend a domestic violence incident they will assess the level of threat to the victim, which will result in an actions like holding a safety action meeting involving government and non-government service providers who will share the information needed to develop a plan to keep the victim and their children safe.

Safer Pathway focuses on preventing domestic and family violence and strengthening the criminal justice system response.

The reforms also increase the capacity of front-line workers to respond to domestic and family violence and build the evidence base to improve policy and service delivery to victims of domestic and family violence.