Domestic violence support groups call for secrecy after applications for new refuges made public in Illawarra, Hunter

Women's groups in New South Wales say the recent publication of development applications for domestic violence refuges by local councils — and the sharing of details by the media — could put lives at risk.

Last week, Wollongong Council placed a development application for a domestic violence refuge for women and children on public exhibition.

Details of the document were then republished by local media outlets, including rendered drawings, a street name and the suburb.

In the Hunter region this week, a map image pinpointing the exact location of another future refuge, taken from the…