Northern Territory Commits $180 Million for Domestic Violence Prevention

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Northern Territory Commits $180 Million for Domestic Violence Prevention

The Minister for domestic violence prevention in the Northern Territory, Robyn Cahill, revealed that the government pledged $180 million to tackle the rising number of deaths linked to domestic violence. This funding was deemed necessary as outlined in a domestic violence action plan jointly developed by NT government agencies and domestic violence services in 2022. However, there was a delay in the allocation of these funds as the Country Liberal Party government conducted an audit of existing spending to understand why reported cases of domestic violence had surged by 82% over the past eight years.

During the audit process, Minister Cahill highlighted that some existing programs were found to be ineffective in achieving tangible outcomes despite substantial financial allocations. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that the intended impact of these programs aligns with the actual results observed on the ground. Additionally, Ms. Cahill announced the allocation of $8 million, predominantly from the territory and some from the commonwealth government, to crisis services, with a focus on providing immediate support to women and children in need.

One of the recipients of the funding allocation, Rachel Uebergang, a regional manager at YWCA, expressed the significance of such financial support in delivering critical crisis services efficiently. She emphasized the urgent need for the full $180 million promised by the NT government, stating that existing services are overwhelmed by the high demand for support. Despite the challenges, there is optimism within the sector regarding the commitment to addressing domestic violence effectively; however, the call to work collaboratively in leveraging the pledged funds to support those affected was emphasized.