Northern Territory domestic violence help: $8.5 million shelter opens
Women and children fleeing domestic violence in greater Darwin are just weeks away from having the use of a new purpose-built shelter, complete with free linen, toys and other necessities.
Northern Territory
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A purpose-built $8.5 million domestic violence shelter in the Darwin region featuring 10 accommodation units will accept its first clients next month and is expected to provide haven to 110 women and children in its first 12 months of operation.
The Salvation Army earlier this month launched its expanded Family Violence Refuge Services with a new refuge that will support women and children escaping violence in and around the Darwin area.
Over the next 12 months, based on an average 12-week stay, The Salvation Army’s site expects to provide haven to more than 40 women and about 70 children.
The shelter, three years in the making, comprises 10 crisis accommodation units and an administration building with associated carpark and open spaces, including a play area for children.
There are eight two-bedroom units that can accommodate a small family and two one- bedroom units designed for a single woman with a small baby.
Each home is serviced with a kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom facilities.
Windows have security screens, while the administration building is designed to be a gentle, welcoming space that supports staff and clients.
On arrival, clients receive new linen and welcome packs.
As children often arrive with none of their toys, therapeutic toys will be provided.
Clients can then take all these items with them when they leave the refuge.
Lorrinda Hamilton, The Salvation Army’s national general manager for family and domestic violence services, said family and domestic violence is “one of the leading causes of homelessness for women and children”.
“It is vital that women fleeing abuse have a safe place to recover and rebuild their lives,” she said.
“This new facility will allow more vulnerable women and children to have such a sanctuary.”
The shelter cost almost $8.5m, funded conjointly by the Salvation Army, which used bequest funds and the proceeds of the sale of an existing property, and a Commonwealth grant under the Safe Places program.
The build was originally costed at $5.9m, but it’s understood Covid-19 delays and construction material inflation meant The Salvation Army were forced to dig deeper into their own pockets, with the Commonwealth only covering $5.6m of the cost.
The Northern Territory Government will provide $7.5m over five years for operational costs.
According to data compiled by The Equality Institute, the rates of domestic and family violence related assault in the Territory are three times the national average, while domestic and family violence homicide rates are seven times the national average.
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