Northern Territory's domestic violence sector at 'crisis point', turning away hundreds of women

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a day ago

Just over two years ago, Darlene* left her long-term partner after realising his regular insults, silent treatment and rage-filled outbursts was part of a pattern of emotionally abusive behaviour.
She thought leaving with her young children would be the hardest part. But she quickly realised she still had a tough and, at times, lonely road ahead.
"The day I left I was so overwhelmed," Darlene said.
"I was put on hold for about three hours and bounced around from service [to service], 'Oh you don't fit our service, we'll transfer you over here,' and I got nowhere."
Over the coming months, Darlene would face the reality of an under-resourced domestic violence sector in the Northern Territory, where DV rates are the highest in Australia.
Dawn House is one of a handful of DV shelters in Darwin that provide a safe haven to women and children escaping violence.
Dawn House chief executive Ana Aitcheson said there was a diverse clientele — 60 per cent are First Nations, 20 per cent identify with an Asian background, and 20 per cent are Caucasian or other — proving "domestic and family violence does not discriminate".
Every woman that arrives is assessed for their level of risk "of harm or death" according to the NT's 'Domestic and Family Violence Common Risk Assessment Tool' (CRAT).
The CRAT considers women with a score of 28 or above being at "serious risk" of harm or fatality.
Ms Aitcheson said her service saw women with scores "up to the mid-70s".
She said her staff were having to make difficult decisions, often turning people away who score in the 30s and 40s.
"So we are at crisis point."
Ms Aitcheson said these decisions took a big toll on staff, with many experiencing burnout.
"They're the people having to answer the phone and say, 'No I'm sorry we can't help you'," she said.
"They're the ones that are going home thinking, 'Oh did I make the right decision, is she going to be safe overnight with her children?'."
The abuse Darlene experienced by her ex-partner had her petrified he could "blow up" at any moment, and feeling that she had to protect their children.
The ABC has seen text messages where Darlene's ex-partner regularly threatened to commit suicide as a method of control.
When she and her children eventually left, the abuse escalated.
She said police "minimised" her fears and told her that while "it's upsetting, there's not much we can do for you".
She was given some referrals and told she would need to take out a domestic violence order (DVO) herself, with a service.
If you need help immediately, call emergency services on triple-0.
"All of the services were booked out. So at that point when you're in a crisis and you need help … you can't get help," she said.
"So essentially you're alone."
It is an experience advocates say happens all too often.
Holly Gurruwiwi escaped a violent relationship with her small child in 2016, after support from a police officer gave her courage to leave.
But she agreed the system required self-advocacy from victims.
"Why is up to [the victim] to go to A, B, C … ? We need to be coming to them," Ms Gurruwiwi said.
A proud Aboriginal woman, Ms Gurruwiwi used her experience to help others, and educate first responders about different kinds of violence.
She said there were barriers for First Nations women, who are disproportionately impacted by family and domestic violence.
"I think the biggest challenge for Aboriginal people … we don't have the language around it," she said.
Coercive control is not a standalone criminal charge in the NT, though the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 defines it as "a pattern of conduct" that can include "violent, threatening or intimidating behaviour".
Tangentyere Council's men's behaviour change program in Alice Springs is one of the few running in the territory.
Men who take part in the 16-week program are educated about their violence, its impact and making different choices.
Co-manager of Tangentyere's family safety and social services division Maree Corbo said the program was struggling to meet demand.
Ms Corbo said the lack of men's behaviour change programs in the Northern Territory and the challenges in recruiting and retaining staffing in remote areas were core issues for the sector.
NT Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence Robyn Cahill has known the struggle.
She said a $36 million annual government funding commitment would be part of the solution.
But local advocates said the figure, first raised by the sector in 2022, was outdated due to inflation and now the "bare minimum" of what was required.
The federal government said it was providing $245 million to the NT to address family, domestic and sexual violence, some of which would go to NT government departments more broadly, and some given directly to frontline organisations.
For victims trying to leave violence now, support cannot come soon enough.
NT police have predicted domestic violence rates will rise by a further 70 per cent in the next decade.
Darlene said she wants women in similar positions to remember "you've got one life" so "use your intuition … you can do this".
Ms Gurruwiwi wants the government to accept all 35 recommendations made by the NT coroner last year to improve the territory's response to family and domestic violence.
"I have a 12-year-old daughter," she said.