The Albanese Labor Government is strengthening support for victim-survivors with an almost $17 million funding boost to strengthen frontline services, prevent violence, and save lives in the Top End.
The Northern Territory continues to experience significantly higher rates of family, domestic and sexual violence compared with the rest of Australia. This persistent challenge demonstrates the need for sustained investment in evidence-based prevention, response and recovery initiatives.
That’s why the Commonwealth is delivering:
- $3.54 million to extend the Leaving Violence Program Regional Trial in Darwin and surrounding regions for 12 months, to help support women to leave violent intimate partner relationships
- $12.051 million to strengthen frontline services and continue the 500 Workers Initiative
- $1.333 million to stop violence at the start through the Early Interventions for Young People Program.
People leaving a violent relationship must be able to access practical supports to stay safe, heal and rebuild their lives.
The Leaving Violence Program Regional Trial provides financial support of up to $5,155 to eligible victim survivors across Darwin and surrounding regions. Delivered by the North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service, this program ensures people have access to the support and financial resources they need to safely leave violent intimate partner relationships.
The Regional Trials provide additional supports to the permanent national Leaving Violence Program.
We’re also continuing the 500 Workers Initiative through to 2030 to ensure our frontline services are equipped to support those seeking help. We remain committed to this crucial workforce that provides support to victim-survivors during some of the most difficult periods of their lives.
While supporting those affected by violence is critical, investing in early intervention and prevention to reduce rates of violence in the first place is equally important.
Delivered by the Northern Territory Government, the Early Interventions for Young People Program will provide culturally safe support for First Nations young people aged 12 to 25 who use, or are at risk of using, violence in intimate relationships.
The program also supports partners and ex-partners, keeping victim-survivor safety front and centre.
Together, these three investments reinforce the Government's commitment to helping tackle family, domestic and sexual violence in the Northern Territory.
As part of that commitment, Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek and Attorney-General Michelle Rowland today co-hosted a roundtable with experts and sector leaders in Darwin.
Over the past few months, many communities across Australia have had their say to help shape the next five years of national efforts to keep women and children safe.
The Second Action Plan will be released in the first half of next year.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek:
"Every Australian has the right to feel safe in their home, their relationships and their community.
"The funding boosts announced today will make sure more women and children in the Territory can escape violence safely and be supported by frontline workers who are equipped to help them heal and recover.
"Too many people have had their lives changed forever by family, domestic and sexual violence. And we know that for too many people, change isn’t happening fast enough.
"That’s why we’re undertaking a major national consultation on the next chapter of our National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children. We’ve already heard from more than 400 frontline services and experts around the country – from Darwin to Devonport – to hear what more we can do to prevent violence, support victim-survivors and deliver lasting change.
"It was fantastic to hear directly from Top End experts and sector leaders again today about where we need to focus our efforts next to deliver real change."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy:
"This investment will help provide Territory women and children the support and care they need to leave unsafe relationships and environments.
"By investing in prevention, early intervention and frontline services, we are helping to change lives and create safer futures.
"Change happens when we listen to communities and support the solutions they believe in. By backing community-led approaches, we can strengthen families and create stronger, safer communities."
Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Robyn Cahill:
"Early intervention gives us the opportunity to stop harmful behaviour before it escalates and prevent violence from becoming an entrenched pattern.
"By supporting Aboriginal-led and locally designed programs, we are ensuring services reflect the needs, cultures and circumstances of the communities in which they will operate."