NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner welcomes Government’s domestic violence funding, calls on Premier not to forget victims of one of its most extreme forms – modern slavery

Dr James Cockayne, the independent NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner commended the commitment of an additional $230 million over four years by the NSW government today towards family violence prevention and support, while calling on the Premier, the Hon. Chris Minns MP and his Cabinet, not to forget the victims of one of its most extreme forms – modern slavery.  

Dr Cockayne said, “The leadership shown by the NSW Government in increasing direct support to address domestic and family violence with this new funding announcement is welcome.”

“Last week I wrote to the Premier and his Cabinet colleagues to remind them not to forget some of the most extreme forms of domestic and family violence – forced marriage, domestic and sexual servitude”, Dr Cockayne continued. “Coercion, violence and control in domestic and family contexts are the basis for these modern slavery offences, and the thousands of victims in New South Wales must not be left behind.”

“Too many victims of modern slavery in NSW are forced to endure extreme family coercion and violence, often because they cannot find a safe place to stay outside the family home. The Modern Slavery Act 2018 (NSW) requires me to report to Parliament each year on action to develop a system of support (including provision of accommodation) for victims. I urge the Government to ensure that the important steps they are taking to grapple with male violence against women in the state, also provide safety and paths to recovery for victims of modern slavery.”

The Anti-slavery Commissioner recently wrote to the Premier and other Ministers setting out several interventions the NSW Government could support to achieve this result, including training for frontline agencies, awareness raising among the domestic and family violence sector, and investment in support systems.