‘System is broken’: NT domestic violence framework under review
The Country Liberal Party is auditing the NT’s domestic violence framework, arguing it is failing to keep people safe – despite the framework never having received full funding.
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The Country Liberal Party is auditing the Northern Territory’s domestic violence framework, arguing it is failing to keep people safe – despite the framework never having received full funding.
Domestic Violence Prevention Minister Robyn Cahill has also asked the department to review child protection processes and said she was not afraid of criticism for removing children from violent homes if necessary.
It comes as the NT coroner hands down her findings into an extensive domestic violence inquest into the deaths of four Aboriginal women at the hands of their partners.
Ms Cahill said the government would “closely review” the coronial findings, and was looking to reform the NT’s 10 year Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Reduction Framework 2018-2028.
Stakeholders have long called for $180m to meet “bare minimum” needs-based funding for the framework’s second action plan – money promised at this year’s election but yet to be paid.
“You can’t have a framework and say it’s working when there’s been an increase in domestic violence of 82 per cent across the Territory in the last eight years,” Ms Cahill said.
“The system is broken everywhere.
“We talk about changing behaviour, we talk about keeping our children safe, we talk about protecting our women, but we can see that this just isn’t having the effect that we need. So we really need to change how we’re doing this.”
Ms Cahill said focus needed to be on improving outcomes for children, citing “great concerns” about children being left in violent homes.
“Taking those kids back time and time again to the environment that they’ve run away from simply is not the solution,” she said.
“At the end of the day, all that really matters is taking those kids into an environment that is safe, working with their families so that they understand they have a responsibility to look after those children, and if they can’t, then we’ll have to look at alternatives.”
Independent MLA Justine Davis said “the time for excuses and delays is over”.
“Every delay costs lives. Every failure to act leaves women and children in danger,” she said.
“We do not need more consultation.
“The $180m promised by the CLP is based on many months of work by experts, service providers and government. A detailed, costed plan is already in place.
“What we need now is for this government to implement it with the urgency the situation demands.
“This is the same government that has acted on urgency to pass laws to lock up 10-year-olds but drags its feet when it comes to funding the services that would save women and children from violence and death, and hold perpetrators accountable.
“Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence is the Northern Territory’s true crime and safety crisis, and the government’s inaction is shameful.”
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