NT govt invests $36m to combat domestic violence

The NT Government is to invest $36 million a year in ongoing, sustainable funding to address domestic, family and sexual violence.

“Our ongoing investment addresses sector uncertainty and looming funding deadlines for critical frontline DFSV services and programs that support victim-survivors,” Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence, Robyn Cahill said.

“Those impacted be DFSV across the Territory will be better supported with ongoing funding for programs and services that will support the sector to intervene earlier and address root causes and respond to DFSV.

“With an 82 per cent increase in domestic violence assaults over the past 8 years under Labor, status quo isn’t an option and that’s why while we will continue to evaluate and review programs, we can then make sure we are spending this money in the right areas.

“Behaviour change programs are an area we are exploring further because it all starts with behaviour change, and we need to make sure these programs are as effective as they can be.

“An example of achieving real outcomes, the Circuit Breaker program has been a huge success and has been rolled out across the Territory.

“Circuit Breaker is a response to recommendations 7 and 15 from the coronial inquiry last year. Circuit Breaker is about equipping families with the tools they need to make positive changes and holding everyone accountable, intervening early to help children and families.”

There have been 75 active Circuit Breaker cases so far, with 55 of those leading to family responsibility agreements.