A new survey of domestic and family violence (DFV) services across New South Wales has found that initial concerns over the impact of coronavirus on the sector are already playing out in an "unprecedented" way.

Key points: Report has found coronavirus is already having an impact on reports of domestic violence in NSW

Report has found coronavirus is already having an impact on reports of domestic violence in NSW 41.7 per cent of respondents reported an increase in clients in recent days

41.7 per cent of respondents reported an increase in clients in recent days 70.8 per cent said cases were more complicated, due in part to social isolation measures

The report, from Women's Safety NSW, shows there has already been a dramatic increase in both the demand and complexity of DFV cases.

The organisation surveyed 80 frontline workers, coordinators and service providers from metropolitan and regional parts of the state, to see how the virus is affecting DFV support provision — and what measures are urgently needed.

More than 40 per cent of respondents reported that they're already experienced an increase in client numbers since the outbreak of COVID-19. Many others said they expected to see a similar increase in the near future.

"It's going to be massive, there's no two ways about it. We're already seeing the start of it, but it's only going to get worse," Women's Safety NSW CEO Hayley Foster told The Drum.

Of those surveyed, more than a third said women were reporting situations of violence and abuse related specifically to coronavirus. These included growing financial and other pressures.

"We know [domestic violence] is characterised by coercive control: by isolating, monitoring, surveilling their partners," Ms Foster explains.

"This sort of thing is only going to get much worse when in our response to COVID-19, we are directing people to be locked in their homes with their abusers."

The report also acknowledges the also increased risk to children, who might be home from school.

Of the group surveyed, some 70 per cent indicated that cases of domestic violence had also become more complicated.

"Even those that are not noticing an increase in client numbers, the clients that are calling up in the context of domestic violence are calling up with really complex cases," Ms Foster says.

Major gaps in services identified

There are major concerns about domestic violence support service provision at a time where the need to protect women and children is higher than usual.

"Insufficient service availability" was a concern for more than half of respondents.

Like many organisations, shelters and support providers have had to limit capacity and operations, for the health and safety of staff.

The report highlights a number of gaps that may be hindering the protection of women and children at such a particularly dangerous time.

These include inability to access case management, income and material needs, or appropriate accommodation. Inconsistent police responses were also identified.

"We need to make sure that when women contact police, the police are well-resourced to be able to respond," Ms Foster said.

The report says the government-mandated shutdown of non-essential services has added to the difficulties in assisting clients — with a number of workers noting the insufficient referral options currently available to them.

CEO Women's Safety NSW, Hayley Foster ( Supplied: Women's Safety NSW )

Calls for government to take on greater role

Women's Safety NSW says there's a specific and urgent need for a government response to help deal with the unique impacts of this health crisis — at both a state and federal level.

This includes resourcing for frontline staff to continue working from home, as well as funding for more staff in general, to assist in supporting the unprecedented number of clients approaching groups for help.

"A $3,000 package per worker would allow us to set them up with a phone, a desk, printing equipment. These are really practical costs that services need covered so we're looking for that commitment," Ms Foster said.

The report also requests greater cooperation with police services. The document has been sent to the Department of Communities and Justice.

Women's Safety NSW say they're hoping to work collaboratively with the office, and looking to work with state and federal governments to ensure women have access to services through phones, released through frontline workers.

"If women and children are going to access safety and support, they must have access to a safe phone."

Ms Foster also says plans and resourcing have to be put in place now, as the problem is only going to get worse:

"When there's a calm after the storm, that's when we're going to see a huge increase in numbers," she warned.

"We have a responsibility to make sure people are safe and have access to safety and support."

Message from groups: we're still doing as much as we can

Ms Foster's concerns have been echoed by a number of frontline workers. As Women's Community Shelter CEO Annabelle Daniel told The Drum earlier this week, domestic violence support services have one clear message: they're still operating!

There are ways you can help. Groups like WCS are accepting donations of resources like hand sanitizer, long-life foods and cleaning supplies. Even simple communication remains incredibly important.

"Reach out and check in. Keep the connections going. Keep the communication going in any way that it is safe to do so," Ms Daniel told The Drum.

Women's Community Shelters CEO Annabelle Daniel. ( ABC News: Harriet Tatham )

"Specifically for the women who are at home, who might be going through this, reach out in any way that it is safe to do so to your social networks, and remember that the police are there as a service to support you if things get to an emergency level.

"For the broader public, if there's anybody that you are worried about, check in on them in every way that you possibly can and remain connected."