Service providers' perspectives on delivering support for domestic violence victims in Rural New South Wales

Australians living in rural communities are more likely to experience Domestic violence (DV) than those living in urban areas. Service providers (SP) who provide support to victims of DV in these rural settings encounter some structural barriers at a systems and organizational level that may be useful in improving outreach services. However, few studies have explored SP perspectives surrounding these issues. This study aimed to explore service providers’ perspectives on delivering support for DV victims in rural New South Wales (NSW), Australia. This qualitative study utilized structured interviews that were audio recorded and evaluated, using inductive thematic analysis. Ten people from the Central West region of NSW, providing support across DV services, legal services, community centers, medical centers, and the police, were interviewed. Half of the interviewees held roles in organizations that provided DV-specific services. Some service providers noted clients presented with other issues first, before disclosing their experiences with DV. Interviewees described key obstacles, including cultural attitudes, comorbid mental health and substance use disorders, and logistical impediments to leaving relationships and accessing services as barriers for victims. They identified the personal toll of their work and a lack of funding for specialized and multidisciplinary services as challenges to providing effective service delivery. Facilitators such as building trust through community services, using technology for remote support, and community support groups were effective. SP cited DV education in schools as an important avenue for primary prevention. This study highlights the significant barriers and facilitators identified by rural DV service providers in the Central West region of NSW, Australia. Despite the personal toll on providers, supportive networks helped mitigate burnout. The study advocates for increased funding, coordinated multidisciplinary services, and educational programs to address structural and cultural issues in rural DV service delivery at both the systems and organizational levels.