North Sydney and Mosman top the list for alcohol related domestic violence incidents.

By ANNA USHER

Record numbers of women living in North Sydney, Neutral Bay, Kirribilli and Cremorne are victims of alcohol related domestic violence, according to data compiled by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics.

Of the 230,217 domestic assaults involving female victims in NSW over the past decade, one in three of those involved booze.

Entries into the NSW Police database show the lower north shore and Northern Beaches saw a huge percentage of DV assaults involving alcohol, with North Sydney LGA recording the highest rate – a staggering 45% over the ten-year period to March 2024.

In Mosman LGA, domestic violence related incidents involved alcohol 38% of the time.

Sydney’s lowest rates of DV incidents involving booze were in Canterbury-Bankstown (15 per cent), Cumberland (17 per cent) and Liverpool (18 per cent).

Speaking to Mosman Collective, North Sydney Mayor Zoe Baker said she was shocked by the statistics, published this week in the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Disturbingly high rates of alcohol-fuelled domestic violence incidents within our local government area are shocking, yet ultimately unsurprising because they speak to the fact that family violence occurs everywhere, no matter the suburb or socio-economic status,” Mayor Baker said.

“The scourge of male violence against women is a national epidemic demanding our collective attention and responsibility.”

She said North Sydney Council will dedicate a portion of affordable housing dwellings to women and children escaping violence. Funding to help local business recognise and respond to domestic violence incidents would also be provided.

“North Sydney Council has zero tolerance towards violence in all forms,” Mayor Baker said.

Elise Phillips, Deputy CEO of Domestic Violence NSW told Mosman Collective the new data should not surprise lower north shore residents.

“Right now, we are in a national reckoning with the prevalence of domestic violence in our communities. The ugly reality is that domestic violence happens in every suburb, at every socioeconomic level,” Ms Phillips said.

“We know from the National Community Attitudes Survey that 91% of Australians agree violence against women is a problem in Australia – but only 47% acknowledge it is as problem that takes place in their suburb.

“Domestic violence does not discriminate. Ignoring its presence in our community only enables perpetrators.”

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732.

Local residents needing help can also contact the Lower North Shore Domestic Violence Network.