4 April 2022
Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing Kate Worden has today been announced as the Territory’s first Minister for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.
The Territory Labor Government will also invest an extra $10 million from Budget 2022 into fighting domestic, family and sexual violence over the next four years.
Today’s historic announcement, cements and highlights Territory Labor’s continued work to curb domestic, sexual and family violence.
The NT Government already invests $25 million into the sector to provide prevention projects, perpetrator intervention programs, and safety and recovery services for victims.
Budget 2022 will see another $10 million, Government wide, be invested in domestic, family and sexual violence over the next four years, including:
Implementing Action Plan 2 of the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Reduction framework;Increasing the funding pool of the Safe, Respected and Free from Violence Prevention Grants program;Establishing an Aboriginal-led community-based specialist sexual assault service to build local and regional capacity, commission new services including counsellors and other experts;Procure culturally safe training to be delivered in hospitals and primary health settings across the NT, to upskill hospital and health centre staff to identify, refer, report and respond to DFSV within health settings; andDeveloping coercive control intervention programs.
In December 2021, the Territory Labor Government also announced $15 million will go towards infrastructure and program upgrades to increase the number of beds available to women and children fleeing domestic and family violence.
Agreements and projects are nearing final signing with the $15 million set to go towards local sector programs, including:
$6.5 million to Dawn House to build seven transitional and crisis accommodation homes;$3 million for Katherine Women’s Crisis Centre infrastructure grant funding to increase capacity;$1.5 million for Darwin Aboriginal and Islander Women’s Shelter infrastructure grant funding to build six transitional accommodation homes;$2 million in funding for DFSV partnership projects and Safe, Respected and Free from Violence grants; and$2.05 million in remote non-government operated DFV Safe House infrastructure grant funding.
Today’s announcement also follows Territory Labor’s $10.7 million of needs based funding from the Federal Government, and a $7.5 million investment from the Territory Labor Government to support the delivery of services in a new Domestic Violence Crisis Facility in Palmerston.
Quotes from Chief Minister, Michael Gunner:
“Appointing the Territory’s first ever Minister for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence sends a powerful message that this Government recognises the gravity of this scourge in our community. And that we must keep doing more.
“We are backing this announcement with a $10 million investment – we want there to be more prevention programs and support for families fleeing violence.
“Kate Worden is the best fit to lead in advocating and working with our domestic, family and sexual violence sector – together they will be a strong united front to tackle this issue head on.”
Quotes from Minister for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, Kate Worden:
“Domestic violence is impacting too many women and children – it is not good enough and we all need to do more to stop it.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates this Governments commitment to standing side by side with the sector and victim survivors, to listen more and do more. Including this new portfolio allows there to be a clear centralisation and coordination of all DFSV related services.
“It takes a lot of courage and resilience to flee a violent environment, and that’s why we need to ensure we have the right support readily available for those who need it.
“The Territory Labor Government will continue to invest in evidence based programs, workforce and accommodation options that work to keep our families safe.”
