Three Northern Territory-based Aboriginal organisations have partnered to prevent tech-based abuse of First Nations women.
Delivered by Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation and Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service, the community-led project aims to build awareness and accountability with First Nations men of the Big Rivers region.
The co-designed program aims to promote positive, respectful behaviours and increase accountability and leadership skills of men in the community, with the project set to harness First Nations men's voices and ideas to develop tailored, culturally-appropriate resources to address the underlying drivers of tech-based abuse.
Katherine West Health Board CEO, Sinon Cooney, said First Nations communities in the Big Rivers region are feeling the "very real impacts of technology-facilitated abuse".
"By taking a regional approach in partnership with Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service and Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, we are extending our reach and strengthening how we protect families," Mr Cooney said.
"This work is about more than prevention - it is about empowerment, giving women, children and families the tools they need to feel safe, connected, and supported.
"Just as importantly, it creates space for strong men in our communities to step forward as leaders - driving change through respect, responsibility, and a commitment to building safer futures for everyone."
Through the Federal Government's Preventing Tech-based Abuse of Women Grants Program, $394,000 of funding has been awarded to bring the project to fruition.
Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, thanked the project's partner organisations "for their vital work designing programs that support respectful relationships in our communities, including First Nations communities".
"The Albanese Government is committed to improving the safety of women and children and ending gender-based violence," Senator McCarthy said.
"Technology-based abuse, like all forms of abuse, is unacceptable."
Katherine West Health Board is one of 10 organisations awarded funding by the eSafety Commissioner under Round 2 of the Government's $10 million Preventing Tech-based Abuse of Women Grants Program.
Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour, said the Government is proud to partner with local organisations and community members "to support this innovative project which is addressing a serious issue".
"Working with local groups and people is key to tackling this serious issue at its core," Ms Scrymgour said.
"Everyone must be accountable for their actions whether that's online or not and the community is ready to take a leadership role in doing just this."
The full list of Preventing Tech-based Abuse of Women Grants Program Round 2 recipients can be found online.