The Territory Labor Government will spend $7.5 million over five years to ensure a new crisis accommodation centre in Palmerston can provide critical support to women and children fleeing domestic violence.
The Salvation Army and the Australian Government are jointly spending $5.9 million to construct a purpose built facility, with construction to be completed in 2023.
The Territory Government’s funding ensures the facility can provide 24 hour support to up to 49 women and children fleeing domestic violence at any one time. It secures the facilities operation for five years once it becomes operational.
The facility will offer both semi-independent crisis and longer term transitional accommodation for women and children fleeing violence.
Tackling the scourge of domestic violence is a major priority for the Territory Labor Government.
The facility will help women and children to re-establish their independence, undergo trauma recovery and have access to training, parenting and employment opportunities, as well as provide a learning and supportive environment for their children.
The funding is part of the NT Government’s strong commitment to preventing and protecting women and children from family violence, and part of an overall Northern Territory Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Framework 2018-2028 – Safe Respected and Free from Violence.
The framework is a 10-year strategy to reduce Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.
Quotes from Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing, Kate Worden:
“Domestic violence is affecting too many women and children – it’s not good enough, and it will not be tolerated.
“As a Government we acknowledge and understand that fleeing your home can lead to homelessness and housing vulnerability. This is why we are funding a new crisis accommodation centre which provides a home and a safe place from which to move your life forward. Crisis accommodation needs to be the springboard that allows women to regain control of their lives and rebuild.
“Fleeing a violent situation takes a lot of strength and courage. We want to make sure we have services in place which gives a sense of warmth and protection.
“We will continue to invest in programs, workforce and accommodation options to keep our families safe.”
Northern Territory/Queensland Family Violence State Manager, Salvation Army, Dianne Gipey:
“We congratulate Minister Worden for supporting women and children by committing to operational funds that will enable us to provide a contemporary, trauma-informed service that is culturally responsive and disability inclusive for women and children who have, or are at risk, of family violence.”
³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ General Manager, Family Violence Stream, Salvation Army, Lorinda Hamilton:
“The Salvation Army welcomes the Northern Territory Government’s continued investment into eradicating family violence in the Northern Territory.
“We are encouraged by the Government’s clear commitment, ensuring the availability of operational funding for crisis and longer term accommodation by enabling us to expand our capacity to respond to women and children impacted by family violence in the NT by providing funding to support an additional 49 beds.”
