The Northern Territory government has announced additional funding to ensure survivors of domestic, family, and sexual violence can access essential frontline services.
The initiative is supported by an $8.4 million investment, which includes contributions from the Australian federal government through the National Partnership Agreement.
The funding aims to enable 24 frontline DFSV (domestic, family and sexual violence) service providers across the Northern Territory to operate critical programs, including women's safe houses, legal services, and community-led initiatives aimed at preventing violence and ensuring safety.
NT Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence, Robyn Cahill, highlighted that the funding would play a vital role in safeguarding women and children across the Territory.
"Women and children in the Northern Territory deserve to feel safe and supported. This funding will allow frontline services to respond rapidly to the critical needs of survivors of domestic violence, delivering emergency shelter, legal aid, and other essential support," said Ms Cahill.
"We must challenge the status quo and ensure funding is spent on programs that deliver real outcomes and provide hope for a better future for these families and make the NT a better place."
Ms Cahill was joined by YWCA Regional Manager NT, Rachael Uebergang, to announce the funding.
YWCA Domestic and Family Violence Centre in Darwin and Palmerston has been allocated $550,000 to deliver flexible responses to DFSV including safety planning, targeted and individualised case management, and assistance with things such as housing, police, and referrals to legal assistance, as well as implement the Risk Assessment and Management Framework (RAMF).
"YWCA welcomes this funding boost as it helps address funding gaps, enabling us to retain existing staff and, most importantly, continue to keep women safe," Ms Uebergang said.
"This funding ensures we can continue to deliver critical services to women and children who need it most.
"It means we can provide emergency support, and long-term solutions for victim-survivors escaping violence including offering security upgrades to homes, such as deadlocks and security screens, and emergency financial assistance for essential living expenses like food, transport, and clothing."
Other services receiving funding include: $420,000 for CatholicCare NT to operate Women's Safe Houses in Milikapiti and Nauiyu, providing critical shelter and support to women and children fleeing dangerous situations; $555,000 for Darwin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Shelter Indigenous Corporation to provide emergency accommodation and culturally safe support for Aboriginal women and families experiencing violence; and $265,000 for Top End Women's Legal Service to provide women with essential advice and support including applications for Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs) and extensions of DVOs.
