New program to tackle domestic violence in the NT
By PETER ROWE
In a move to break the cycle of domestic, family and sexual violence in Katherine, the Northern Territory Government has announced Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service as the provider of the Men’s Behaviour Change Program.
The pilot program is a $2.46 million investment through the Australian Government’s National Partnership Agreement to provide specialist services for men who are perpetrators of domestic and family violence.
The approved program model will prioritise the safety of victim survivors through partner contact workers and bring together an understanding of the gendered drivers of DFSV, the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal people, and the problematic use of alcohol and other drugs as a reinforcing factor in DFSV.
This will be the fourth regional pilot program in the Northern Territory, with programs already underway in Darwin, Alice Springs and Wadeye.
“Domestic, family and sexual violence needs to stop,” the Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence, Robyn Cahill said.
“Too many women are dying and too many children in the Territory are having their lives impacted by domestic and family violence and we need to take decisive action to put an end to this”
Federal Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth said violence against women and children was a national shame.
“One life lost to family, domestic and sexual violence is one too many,” she said.
“This investment, along with the other significant investments the Albanese Government has made in the Northern Territory, is further proof of our dedication to address the disproportionate rates of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.”
Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service Aboriginal chief executive, Nathan Rosas said the opportunity to invest in Aboriginal solutions for our community was timely for a partnership with the Katherine Big Rivers Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services working together to address jointly.
“We feel that together, united, we can achieve better outcomes to reduce domestic and family violence in our community,” he said.