Progress on NSW domestic violence reforms

A team working to reduce the number of NSW domestic violence deaths says it's encouraged by progress made over the past decade despite less than half its recommendations being realised.

A major report on the work of the Domestic Violence Death Review, which is convened by State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan, found 49 of its 122 recommendations had been fully implemented.

Another 39 were still in the process, while nine had been partially implemented, 15 were sidelined and 10 were never actioned.

Attorney-General Mark Speakman said the report showed success in delivering support to victim-survivors, making the state a safer place.

Women's Safety Minister Natalie Ward said the review was carrying out critical work to change laws and steer investment.

"Over the last two years the NSW government has spent more than $700 million supporting victims, intervening early and preventing domestic violence from the outset," she said.

However, the opposition said the review's results were a damning indictment and demonstrated a lack of action.

While the government supported 98 per cent of its recommendations, less than half had been activated, Labor MP Jodie Harrison said.

"This report is a sobering read and reiterates the urgent need for action," she said.

The review was established in 2010, with the goal of cutting the state's toll of domestic violence deaths and improving the systems that deal with them.

Its implemented recommendations include simplifying the criminal offence of non-fatal strangulation after previous victims found the charge difficult to prove, and allowing victims to give evidence in court via video link to avoid facing their attacker.

Its partially implemented reforms include the routine screening of all women attending emergency rooms to assess whether or not they should be classified as domestic violence victims.

NSW Health has completed a feasibility study into the recommendation and conducted a pilot program in six hospitals.

The report noted many recommendations regarding Indigenous women were still awaiting substantive action.

This included a suggested study into the experience of domestic and family violence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

"Many of the team's recommendations anticipate large-scale, system-wide reform that may require lengthy planning, trials and evaluation before they can be finally implemented," the report said.

The report noted the team was "encouraged by the fact that work has either been completed, or is progressing, on the vast majority of its recommendations".