Victim-survivors of sexual violence in the Blue Mountains will benefit from enhanced recovery and healing support under the Albanese and Minns Labor Government funded Sexual Violence Recovery and Healing Grant Program.
The Blue Mountains Women’s Health and Resource Centre (BMWHRC) is one of eleven community-based organisations to receive a share of the $3.35 million investment to deliver better long-term outcomes for victim-survivors of sexual assault. BMWHRC received $154,155 for their program: Inclusive Response: Sexual Violence Healing for Women with Disability.
This project strengthens BMWHRC's accessible, trauma-informed healing pathways for women with disability who have experienced sexual violence. Guided by lived experience, a project worker will support staff training, inclusive practice and service accessibility, ensuring women can safely access the recovery support they need across our health and wellbeing services.
Programs include improving pathways to recovery and frontline responses and building the capability of communities and local services to better support those who need it most.
The grants recognise the critical role grassroots services play in supporting communities, particularly those facing barriers to accessing help.
The projects will directly support priority groups, including Aboriginal communities, multicultural communities, LGBTIQA+ communities, people with disability, adult survivors of child sexual abuse, and people in contact with the criminal justice system.
The successful organisations include Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and non-government organisations working across metropolitan, regional and rural New South Wales.
This investment supports the delivery of the NSW Government’s NSW Sexual Violence Plan 2022–2027 and is funded through the Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses 2021-2030 Federation Funding Agreement with the Commonwealth Government.
It is part of our wider work to support victim-survivors of sexual violence from crisis response, early intervention, healing and recovery, and primary prevention.
Projects will run for up to two years from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2028, with a strong focus on building local capability, enhancing existing services and fostering collaboration across the sector.
This follows $5 million we’ve invested into strengthening justice responses for victim-survivors of sexual violence, including through specialist sexual violence justice system navigators and expanded legal assistance services.
More information about the funded projects is here <insert link>.
Federal Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence Ged Kearney said:
“We’ve made important strides in supporting victim-survivors, but we know recovery doesn’t end after the immediate crisis. The Sexual Violence Recovery and Healing Grant Program reflects the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments’ commitment to deepening investment in long-term healing and recovery.
“We know that many victim-survivors can face additional barriers when accessing support, particularly First Nations, CALD, LGBTIQA+ communities and people with a disability. That is why supporting community led solutions is critical, as victim survivors of sexual violence deserve to receive trauma-informed care where they need it, when they need it.
“This work is part of our broader commitment under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 to ensure that healing and recovery is seen as essential.”
NSW Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
“Sexual violence is a devastating crime, and victim-survivors live with the pain and anguish for years. There hasn’t in the past been dedicated investment to support their long-term recovery.
“The Sexual Violence and Recovery and Healing Grant Program aims to address this by backing grassroots organisations that communities know and trust to support victim-survivors.
“The Minns Government is working in partnership with the sector to make sure support for victim-survivors is available when and where they need it most. We recognise that recovery and healing is different for everyone and we’re placing victim-survivors at the centre of tailored, community-led responses.”
Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle said:
“The Blue Mountains Women’s Health and Resource Centre is a cornerstone of our community. They are a deeply trusted organisation with a long, proven track record of walking alongside victim-survivors on their difficult road to recovery.”
“I am particularly proud to see this $154,155 investment into the Inclusive Response program. We know that women with disability face distinct and often compounded barriers to accessing support. By centring lived experience and focusing on trauma-informed, accessible pathways, this project ensures that no woman in our mountains is left behind in her healing journey.”
“The Sexual Violence Recovery and Healing Grant Program is a first-of-its-kind initiative. It acknowledges that the best outcomes for victim-survivors come from community-led solutions that offer dedicated, long-term support rather than just a crisis response. This is about delivering the safety, dignity, and specialized care that our community deserves.”
NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin said:
“Grassroots organisations are at the forefront of supporting victim-survivors of sexual violence, and this program strengthens their ability to deliver the care people need.
“These organisations are trusted in their local community, and they are well-placed to deliver trauma-informed services that are culturally responsive.
“No journey to recovery is the same, and these locally led initiatives are key to meeting the diverse needs of communities across NSW.”
Bankstown Women’s Health Centre Operations Manager Fatima Elcheikh said:
“Through this project, we are creating safe, culturally responsive pathways for women to heal from sexual violence and reconnect with support.
“The funding will enable us to deliver trauma-informed programs that empower women, strengthen recovery, and build long-term wellbeing.”
Healthy North Coast Ltd CEO Monika Wheeler said:
“Through this project, we will seek to improve access to coordinated, trauma‑informed recovery supports for survivors of sexual violence in rural and regional communities.
“The funding will enable us to strengthen local workforce capability, improve recovery pathways, and reduce wrong‑door experiences.”
Support:
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.
For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, call the Sexual Violence Helpline on 1800 424 017 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For information on Men’s Behaviour Change Programs operating in your local area, contact the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
