16 days of action against domestic and family violence starts in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek

The Territory government’s domestic and family violence is being labelled ‘underwhelming’, as both the Barkly and Red Centre capitals make their own stands against the scourge of DV.

Both the Barkly and the Red Centre capitals are taking strong stands against the scourge of domestic and family violence in the Territory, as the government’s latest DV roadmap and strategy is labelled “underwhelming” by a women’s safety not-for-profit chief executive.

On Wednesday morning, Alice Springs residents walked through town as part of the 16 days of activism against women’s violence.

Organised by the Alice Springs Town Council, councillor and Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia chief executive Larissa Ellis was in attendance.

“Seeing such a turnout here means we’ve actually got allies within the community and we’ve got allies that will combat, I guess, some of the false stories, some of the false narratives that comes out around women’s experiences,” she said.

Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia chief executive Larissa Ellis (pink shirt) taking part in the walk. Picture: Gera Kazakov

A day earlier, the NT Government released their Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Reduction Strategy 2025 – 2028 and Safety Roadmap to coincide with the beginning of the 16 days.

But Ms Ellis called the strategy “underwhelming,” as “there wasn’t a lot of funding left for community who run grassroots initiatives and initiatives that victim survivors want, that users of violence want”.

“We’re concerned about the lack of commitment to primary prevention, noting that the funding reduces from 1 million to 250,000 by 2027. So that doesn’t show a huge commitment to the long term elimination of domestic family and sexual violence,” she said.

Also on Tuesday, dozens marched through Tennant Creek, as part of the No More Empty Shoes March, which was organised by the Tennant Creek Women’s Refuge and Catholic Care NT.

Tennant Creek residents marched through town on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, as part of 16 days of action against domestic and family violence. Picture: Tennant Creek Women's Refuge / Facebook

Barkly Regional Council Mayor Sid Vashist called the march a “powerful reminder that the Barkly stands united against domestic and family violence”.

“The empty shoes we carried symbolise real women we have lost, and we honor their memory by committing to change,” he said.

“In Tennant Creek we won’t stay silent. We’ll continue to stand up, speak up, and support the frontline organisations and community leaders who are working every day to keep our women and families safe.”

Barkly MLA Steve Edgington said the march raised awareness, fostered community action, and promoted the “shared responsibility we have in preventing domestic, family and sexual violence”.

“As part of the Finocchiaro CLP Government’s plan to drive down violence and lift community safety, the DFSV Strategy 2025–2028 and Safety Roadmap deliver 45 practical initiatives spanning prevention, intervention, response and healing,” he said.

Originally published as 16 days of action against domestic and family violence starts in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek