NSW Premier Chris Minns has warned of a potential spike in domestic violence around the forthcoming NRL and AFL grand finals, confirming extra police resources will be deployed after a horror weekend of alleged violence across the state.

Four people, including a five-year-old boy and three women aged 23, 70 and 90, were killed in separate alleged attacks over the weekend, while two children remain in critical condition.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: NSW domestic violence crisis sparks urgent action calls

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The deaths have renewed calls for urgent action to tackle domestic and family violence, with Minns admitting the government needs to do “far better” to support victims.

With the NRL and AFL grand finals approaching, Minns confirmed extra police resources would be deployed.

He told Sunrise domestic violence offences increase by more than 25 per cent on an NRL weekend.

But the premier warned a police response could come too late, with many domestic violence offences occurring behind closed doors.

“By the time they roll to a house or a unit or a flat, it’s too late,” he said.

Minns instead called for a broader community response, urging people to speak up when they see warning signs of abuse.

“This needs to be an urgent national conversation that says that if you see something in a relationship, it’s not a private family matter. This is abuse,” he said.

In many cases, he said, warning signs are visible long before a violent death occurs.

“People have known about what’s been happening way before that,” he said.

“This is the only way we’re going to save, often, mostly women from horrible deaths at the hand of their partner.”

‘We need to throw everything at that’

The premier said the government had already tightened bail laws, increased sentencing and criminalised coercive control.

Standard minimum sentencing for murder involving intimate partner violence has increased from 20 to 25 years, while good character references have been removed for people convicted of the offences.

Chris Minns admits the NSW government needs to do ‘far better’ on domestic violence. Credit: Sunrise

Despite those changes, Minns said more needed to be done.

“We need to throw everything at that,” he said.

“That includes changing the norms and behaviours in the community away from this suggestion that it’s a private family matter and that it’s not in the public interest.

“This is on everybody, including me in government. I have to take responsibility as well to curb this wherever happens across our state.”

His comments came amid concerns over lengthy waits for critical support, including crisis refuge accommodation, counselling and programs designed to help victims leave violent relationships.

Minns said the NSW Government had increased funding for family and domestic violence support programs from $280 million to more than $400 million in two years.

It has also committed $3 billion to new social housing for victim-survivors of domestic violence.

But the premier acknowledged more immediate support was needed.

“It takes time to build the houses, and it takes time to lift up the services for those who are in urgent need,” he said.

“The grim reality for us is this is happening every weekend at an increasing rate.

“So more urgent and immediate services are obviously required. We’ll do what we need to do.”

Justice system reforms

The NSW Government is also introducing reforms aimed at supporting victim-survivors and their families through the justice system.

Changes to the coronial process will give coroners greater discretion when appointing a senior next of kin, including where there are concerns about family and domestic violence or estrangement.

The reforms are designed to prevent a perpetrator from being recognised as the legal next of kin when doing so could further distress grieving families.

Separate reforms to adult sexual assault trials will introduce a pilot of ground rules hearings, where judges can set parameters for how complainants are questioned, and allow recorded police interviews with complainants to be used as evidence.

The government said the changes will reduce the trauma of repeatedly giving evidence while maintaining the accused’s right to a fair trial.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

In an emergency, call 000.

Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men’s Referral Service, 1300 766 491.