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ABC News
14 hours ago
- General
- ABC News
Five changes domestic violence experts say could make the Northern Territory safer for women
The Northern Territory has the highest rates of family and domestic violence in Australia, with a rate of intimate partner homicide seven times the national average. With just a handful of DV shelters — including some that can turn away up to 200 women each month — the ABC asked experts in the sector how the territory could become a safer place for women, children and families. Those on the front line know there are no quick fixes, especially in a jurisdiction where cultural diversity, remoteness and significant disadvantage add to the challenges. But these experts have identified five key areas for change. Centralised intake. ( ABC News: Jess Henderson ) Ana Aitcheson, chief executive of Darwin shelter Dawn House, says when a woman is in crisis and looking for help, the onus is generally on her to find support. Ms Aitcheson says a centralised intake system could act as "one port of call" for those seeking support. She says a centralised centre, which could then direct women to appropriate organisations with availability, will help prevent victims from "[falling] through the gaps". Ms Aitcheson says that without it women are left on hold, bouncing around from service to service. "If a woman needs support and she calls us for example and we're at a capacity … we give her a phone number for another organisation. They're the same, another phone number, and that's just very time consuming," she said. Safe housing Safe housing icon. ( ABC News: Jess Henderson ) Holly Gurruwiwi, an advocate with lived experience of DV, says the territory needs more safe housing to help address family and domestic violence. The NT has the highest rates of overcrowding in Australia, with remote Aboriginal communities significantly impacted. These housing conditions have been found to increase family conflict and emotional and behavioural issues for young children. For many territory women who want to leave violent relationships, there's often nowhere to go. "There are people in communities who do know how to keep their family safe, but the option is between safety and homeless," Ms Gurruwiwi said. DV training DV training icon. ( ABC News: Jess Henderson ) Since leaving her own violent relationship in 2016, Ms Gurruwiwi has been using her experience to educate first responders about different kinds of violence through a culturally and trauma-informed lens. The PARt (prevent, assist, respond training) program, developed by Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Coproration, trains NT police recruits and some health workers. Ms Gurruwiwi and co-manager of Tangentyere's family safety and social services division, Maree Corbo, are calling for the program to be adopted more broadly. "Definitely security guards, because we know security guards are dealing with this day in and day out," Ms Gurruwiwi said. Ms Corbo says it's a matter of getting all different sectors like health, courts, police and corrections "speaking the same language" on domestic violence. Men's rehabilitation Men's rehabilitation icon. ( ABC News: Jess Henderson ) Ms Corbo says investing in more men's behaviour change programs should be a top priority for the NT government. As the manager of Tangentyere Council's men's behaviour change program in Alice Springs, Ms Corbo says these programs help keep perpetrators "in view" and educated on their use of violence and its impact. To reach men who aren't bailed and able to attend a rehabilitation program in their community, she says there should be more collaboration with correctional services. Ms Corbo says Tangentyere once ran a men's behaviour change program that followed men from prison to their release into the community, noting it's "one of the highest risk times" for recidivism. But resourcing challenges have prevented the organisation from continuing that model. Funding sustainability Funding sustainability icon. ( ABC News: Jess Henderson ) To make any meaningful change, all of the experts agreed that more timely, consistent and strategically-placed funding at both national and territory levels was key. Ms Aitcheson says whenever there's a change in government, the sector goes "right back to the consult stage". She wants to see changes implemented and funded as soon as possible. Ms Gurruwiwi wants the federal government to take "a greater seat at the table" when it comes to funding programs in a jurisdiction with the country's highest rates of domestic violence. The NT government has committed $36 million of ongoing annual funding to the sector, which started rolling out this year. Ms Corbo says that could lead to some light at the end of the tunnel. "It's really important having five-year funding, [so] we know what we're dealing with, we know who we can employ, what we're doing with it and how we can improve the programs," she said. Advocates like Holly Gurruwiwi are still calling on the NT government to accept the recommendations and "implement them all entirely".
ABC News
2 days ago
- ABC News
Northern Territory's domestic violence sector at 'crisis point', turning away hundreds of women
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.
