More emergency accommodation and support for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence in the Northern Territory has been announced.
As part of the federal government's Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program, two projects in Alice Springs and Bulman in the NT are expected to begin in the coming months.
They will provide up to 68 safe places for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence.
While any woman and child of any background experiencing violence will be able to access the services, the projects will focus on improving inclusion and access for First Nations women and children, as well as women, and children from other culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those with a disability.
The government said this would be done through "dwelling design and/or other specialised, accessible, and culturally safe supports".
The program provides a capital investment to fund the building, renovation, or purchase of emergency accommodation, to support women and children who are unable to safely stay at home.
Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour, who has long advocated for more support in the sector, said she welcomed the $10 million of new funding for the electorate, noting it increases the number of new crisis and emergency accommodation options for women and children unable to stay at home.
"Nearly $8 million of these funds will be spent on providing 56 extra safe places in Alice Springs," Ms Scrymgour said.
"Anyone experiencing family or domestic violence should have access to a safe place, where they can connect with specialised services and receive the support, they require to effectively meet their needs.
"I am firmly committed to tackling the root-causes of domestic and family violence in my electorate and I will do everything I can to ensure public funds target those areas that need it the most."
The latest Closing the Gap data from the Productivity Commission does not provide an update on the 2018 baseline of the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander females or children who have experienced family violence.
The report said this is because of "concerns with how the data was collected and the potential risk of harm this data collection caused for participants".
"While the lack of new data makes assessing progress difficult, evidence from research and multiple inquiries makes it clear that family violence is a complex and significant issue in Australia, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children," the report states.
Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, said it was distressing to see the number of women and children continuing to experience hardships because of family violence.
"The opening of these Safe Places homes in Lingiari, will mean a new beginning for many women and children experiencing family and domestic violence, allowing them to build a future free from violence," Ms Rishworth said.
"We are funding the delivery of around 720 new safe places, which will bring the total number of emergency accommodation places delivered under the Safe Places Program across Australia to around 1500 once projects are completed".
More information on the Safe Places program is available online.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.auUB.
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
