1 December 2021
The Territory Labor Government is investing an additional $15 million to assist specialist services to support Territorians experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence.
Funding will focus on infrastructure upgrades to increase the number of beds available to women and children fleeing domestic and family violence.
The $15 million funding will go towards:
A partnership grants program for specialist domestic, family and sexual violence services to partner with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to improve responses for Aboriginal Territorians;Infrastructure upgrades to remote women's safe houses operated by our specialist domestic and family violence specialist non-government partners; andUpgrades and refurbishments to domestic and family violence crisis accommodation centres.
Works will begin immediately with funding agreements and arrangements already being sought with service providers.
COVID-19 has placed additional and acute demands on specialist domestic and family violence services. Our investment will increase the number of domestic and family violence crisis accommodation beds and therapeutic spaces.
Aboriginal women and children in the NT experience more domestic, family and sexual violence than anyone else in Australia. This new investment will provide funding to bring together specialist domestic, family and sexual violence services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations so that Aboriginal Territorians receive a culturally competent and specialist response.
Tackling the scourge of domestic, family and sexual violence is an absolute priority of the Territory Labor Government.
We are investing heavily in tackling domestic, family and sexual violence across the Territory. This includes over $25 million in domestic, family and sexual violence prevention projects, perpetrator intervention programs, and safety and recovery services for victims.
Today's announcement also follows a $7.5 million investment from the Territory Labor Government to support the delivery of services in a new Domestic Violence Crisis Facility in Palmerston.
Quotes from Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing, Kate Worden:
"Domestic violence is impacting too many women and children - it is not good enough and we all need to do more to stop it.
"It takes a lot of courage and resilience to flee a violent environment, and that's why we need to ensure we have the right support readily available for those who need it.
"We acknowledge that COVID-19 has placed a significant strain on our service providers, and this is why we are providing an additional $15 million in funding to assist in their response.
"The Territory Labor Government will continue to invest in evidence based programs, workforce and accommodation options that work to keep our families safe."
Northern Territory Government
