The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) is calling on families, men, and community leaders to stand together to stop violence against women and children this holiday period—a time when alcohol-related harm and domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) is known to increase.
The call comes ahead of the Central Australia Aboriginal Congress's (Congress) Ingkintja Men's March Against Domestic Violence, to be held in Mparntwe/Alice Springs on Wednesday 10 December, marking both International Human Rights Day and the final day of the United Nations 16 days of activism.
Ebony Abbott-McCormack, AMSANT deputy chair and Congress chair, said the march is an important moment for men to lead change. 'This march shows Aboriginal men leading solutions—standing up, stepping in and reclaiming our cultural responsibilities to keep families strong.'
'Every woman and child deserves to be safe,' Mrs Abbott-McCormack said. 'Our women carry culture, language and the wellbeing of our families. When harm is done to our women, it is done to our whole community. This march is a powerful statement—that violence is not our culture, and it will not be tolerated. We must look after each other, look out for our families, and call out violence when we see it.'
AMSANT said Congress has led significant work in alcohol policy and harm reduction, with strong evidence showing that community-driven reform can save lives.
Research and NT Police crime data show alcohol reforms in 2018 and 2023 were associated with a fall in homicide and related offences. The 2017–19 minimum unit price and supply controls led to a 21% drop in alcohol-related domestic violence assaults in Alice Springs. When Stronger Futures alcohol protections lapsed in 2022, consumption increased 15% and alcohol-related domestic violence almost doubled (up 93%)[i].
'These figures show what strong policy, prevention and community leadership can achieve,' Mrs Abbott-McCormack said. 'But policy alone won't end violence. We need men to stand up, to step in, and to choose safety for our families—especially over the holidays.'
Australian crime statistics agencies and police data reveal that across Australia there are significantly more domestic, family and sexual violence incidents reported throughout the Christmas and New Year period. According to No To Violence, the Northern Territory recorded 58% more DFSV assault incidents on New Years' Day in 2022 than on other days[ii].
AMSANT encourages community members, organisations, services and allies to walk alongside Congress and send a clear message: violence has no place in our homes, families or communities.
The Ingkintja Men's March Against Domestic Violence starts at 11.30am from the Alice Springs court house lawns (for men) and Flynn church lawns (for women).
