Urgent Calls for Action: Domestic Violence Crisis in the NT

Urgent Calls for Action: Domestic Violence Crisis in the NT

In the heart of Australia’s Red Centre, amidst the iconic landscapes of Alice Springs, survivors of domestic violence gather once more with painted hands raised in defiance. Their plea for change echoes through the hills, demanding urgent attention to a crisis that has long plagued the Northern Territory (NT). Urgent Calls for Action: Domestic Violence Crisis in the NT

Nearly a year ago, the Tangentyere Women’s Family Safety Group convened in Alice Springs, urgently seeking increased funding for the domestic and family violence sector. This weekend, alongside advocates from across Central Australia and Darwin, survivors will unite in national rallies to combat gendered violence.

“This is a national shame,” declares PC Clarke, Chief Executive of the Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit. “We’ve been sounding the alarm about the crisis in our own backyard. Aboriginal women and children suffer and die, yet their voices often go unheard in national discourse.”

The stark reality of this crisis was recently highlighted in the NT Supreme Court, where a man received a lenient sentence despite a history of violent offenses. His brutal assault left his partner with life-threatening injuries, underscoring the dire consequences of unchecked violence.

Tragically, such incidents are not isolated. In 2024 alone, over 40 women and nine children have lost their lives to domestic, family, or sexual violence across Australia. These harrowing statistics paint a grim picture, with NT women facing a staggering risk, seven times more likely to be killed by intimate partners than elsewhere in the nation. For Aboriginal women in the NT, the risk is even higher, standing at thirteen times the national average.

Despite receiving minimal federal funding and facing severe shortages in shelters and safe-houses, the NT government has pledged $70 million over two years to address the crisis. Advocates like Anna Ryan of the Central Australian Women’s Legal Service argue that chronic underfunding and a lack of resources hinder efforts to protect victims and prevent future violence.

“We need a comprehensive approach,” insists Shirleen Campbell, co-coordinator of Tangentyere’s Alice Springs branch. “Government collaboration, listening to our voices, and sustained support are crucial.”

This Friday, advocates will gather in Alice Springs, followed by a rally in Darwin, demanding systemic changes. They call for mandatory trauma-informed training for law enforcement and responders, and advocate for 50% of new housing to be allocated to survivors of domestic and gendered violence. Additionally, they press for long-term funding commitments, including $180 million over five years from the NT government.

As the only jurisdiction without a peak body for domestic and family violence, the NT stands at a critical juncture. Urgent action is needed to protect vulnerable individuals and communities.

For support or assistance, contact:

  • 13YARN (13 92 76)
  • Lifeline (13 11 14)
  • 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

The time for change is now. Together, we can end the cycle of violence and ensure safety and justice for all.

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Source: https://nit.com.au/26-07-2024/12724/raised-hands-in-red-centre-as-survivors-call-for-change

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