Courts strained as domestic violence charges spike
More perpetrators of domestic violence being charged is a good thing for the police, but delays in the justice system can cause unnecessary trauma.
Domestic violence charges are driving an 8 per cent increase in cases filed by NSW Police, according to statistics released by the state Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research on Wednesday.
Cases filed against people accused of domestic violence increased by nearly 10 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, representing more than a quarter of all court proceedings, the bureau said.
BOCSAR chief executive Jackie Fitzgerald said this accounted for a third of the overall growth in court proceedings in the state.
“The increasing number of domestic violence charges reflects the greater likelihood of charges being laid when these matters are brought to the attention of the police,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
Stalking and harassment, breaching an arrest warrant for domestic violence and coercive control offenses all hit record numbers in 2025.
Ms. Fitzgerald said the office’s findings showed the increase in court cases was not due to an increase in incidents but rather “increased enforcement and proactive detection.”
But more criminals appearing in court does not always lead to fairer outcomes; Courtrooms, which are already too large, struggle to handle cases quickly.
The court’s annual report shows that less than 90 per cent of criminal cases brought to the Local Court are completed within six months in 2024.
Measures to reduce the backlog have been implemented, including the recruitment of new magistrates, but many courts are still heavily burdened by an avalanche of cases.
“More defendants in court means more pressure on judicial officers, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the legal aid sector,” said Ronan MacSweeney, president of the Law Society of NSW.
“Delayed justice means victims of domestic and family violence are exposed to further trauma and disruption.
“Defendants who are ultimately acquitted carry an unfair burden, especially those detained for long periods of time.”
Mr MacSweeney said the community had consistently called for more resources to be provided to the court system to improve efficiency, particularly in rural and regional areas.
NSW Police and the state Department of Communities and Justice have been contacted for comment.
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