The NSW and Australian governments are expanding specialist assistance for people affected by sexual violence, with 11 new Justice System Navigators being rolled out across New South Wales. The initiative will provide dedicated, trauma-informed guidance to help survivors understand their rights, make informed choices and access legal and support services throughout their interaction with the justice system.
The two-year pilot forms part of the NSW Government’s Strengthening Sexual Violence Justice Responses package, with $4.36 million being invested in the navigator program. Commonwealth funding is supporting the initiative, which will operate across metropolitan, regional and rural areas to provide assistance through different pathways into the justice system.
The 11 specialist workers will operate from a range of locations, including community organisations, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and NSW Police stations. Five will be based with organisations experienced in supporting survivors, including Bullinah Aboriginal Health Services, Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services, Full Stop Australia, Mallee Family Care and Rosie’s Place.
Two additional navigators will work within Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations delivering the Aboriginal Family Wellbeing and Violence Prevention program. Yenu Allowah Aboriginal Child & Family Centre will support the Mount Druitt region, while Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service will provide assistance across Tamworth and Gunnedah.
The remaining four positions will operate through Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services and be co-located at NSW Police stations in Fairfield, Belmont, Orange and Nowra. Their role will include providing practical guidance, explaining available options and helping survivors access appropriate assistance at different stages of the justice process.
The navigator initiative is part of a broader $6.2 million NSW package focused on strengthening responses to sexual violence. Separately, $1.74 million is being provided to expand Legal Aid NSW services through the creation of the NSW Sexual Assault Survivors Legal Service, while another $180,000 will support research examining restorative justice approaches.
Further support is being provided through a $3.35 million Sexual Violence Recovery and Healing Grant Program, aimed at strengthening services that assist people with recovery and healing. The broader investment forms part of the Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses 2021–2030 Federation Funding Agreement and contributes to national efforts covering crisis support, early intervention, recovery, healing and prevention.
Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said governments have a responsibility to work together to improve access to assistance for people affected by sexual violence. Assistant Minister Ged Kearney said the new workers would provide continuity of trauma-informed support, particularly for people who may find police, court and legal processes difficult to navigate after making a report.
NSW Attorney General Michael Daley described the pilot as an important step towards improving survivors’ experiences when seeking justice, while Minister Jodie Harrison said the government had listened to survivors and was working to create a justice response that provides compassionate assistance without adding to existing trauma.
The governments say the program is intended to make support easier to access while connecting survivors with community organisations, legal services and government agencies. The pilot will provide a further opportunity to assess how specialist navigation can strengthen the justice process and help people access appropriate assistance when they need it.
