First Nations women and children living in Darwin will be given support to leave violent intimate partner relationships through funding for an Indigenous legal organisation by the federal government.
On Friday, the Labor government announced the North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS) had received $9 million in funding to work in partnership with Danila Dilba Health Services, the Darwin Aboriginal and Islander Women's Shelter, and Yilli Rreung Housing to help support survivors.
NAAFLS will provide survivors with an option to access the Leaving Violence Program through their service as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Organisation.
The Territory has seen a crisis of gendered violence, with at least ten First Nations women killed in alleged domestic violence attacks in the last year. Of the at least 476 First Nations women killed since 1989, a third were Territorian, according to a report by the Australian Institute of Criminology.
It has been described as a "national shame" by coroner Elisabeth Armitage during her findings in November into the domestic violence-related deaths of Territory women Kumanjayi Haywood, Ngeygo Ragurrk, Miss Yunupiŋu and Kumarn Rubuntja, which was described as "truly shocking" by counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer SC.
"The North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service, Danila Dilba Health Services, the Darwin Aboriginal and Islander Women's Shelter and Yilli Rreung Housing all do vital work in this space," federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said.
The NT senator said the government was "committed" to working with Indigenous, community-led organisations to help First Nations women and children escape violence.
"This trial means more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children can access tailored, trauma-informed support as well as financial assistance to leave unsafe environments."
The partnership is one of three regional place-based trials commencing July 1.
$22.35 million has been invited for trials in Darwin, alongside ones in Dubbo and Broome to offer tailored, trauma-informed support to Indigenous people, complementing the $925 million Leaving Violence Program, the government says.
Federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the trials will provide eligible victim-survivors with access to "practical and financial support to leave family violence".
"By providing culturally safe, trauma-informed support, we can empower victim-survivors within our Indigenous communities to regain safety, stability, and control over their lives and wellbeing," she said.
"No person in our country should be forced to live in an environment that compromises their safety or their agency, and this expansion of the program will allow hundreds of vulnerable Australians to take that first step into a brighter future."
As an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Organisation, NAAFLS has an option to access the Leaving Violence Program, which gives eligible victim-survivors financial support of up to $5000 - up to $1,500 in cash and the rest in goods and services.
Support also comes in the way of safety planning, risk assessment and referrals to other services for 12 weeks.
More information on the Leaving Violence Program is available on the Department of Social Services website.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family, or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.
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 http://www.ntv.org.au
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.
