NT’s new specialised domestic violence court opens in Alice Springs

THE Northern Territory’s first specialised domestic violence court has opened to better support vulnerable survivors as they navigate the justice system

The Northern Territory’s first specialised domestic violence court has opened in Alice Springs

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THE Northern Territory’s first specialised domestic violence court has opened in Alice Springs, which will better support vulnerable survivors as they navigate the justice system.

The court gives victims and vulnerable witnesses more control of who they can see and who can see them during the legal process.

It’s part of a $15 million refurbishment of the Alice Springs Local Court, where victims of domestic violence no longer have to come face-to-face with perpetrators as their matters proceed through the courts.

The Northern Territory’s first specialised domestic violence court has opened in Alice Springs

The new facilities provide a dedicated court with a dedicated judge, Judge Meredith Day Huntingford, to hear family violence matters and facilitate a faster and more specialised family violence justice process.

The refurbishment also provides greater accessibility to domestic violence support services for victims.

Among the additions to the court that will facilitate a less traumatic court experience for victims are a separate entrance and waiting areas, and a court room where the victim cannot see or be seen by the defendant.

It is a pilot site for the NT, and outcomes will be assessed after three years before a similar system is introduced to Darwin.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Selena Uibo, said the upgrade was a “milestone in justice for the Northern Territory”.

“It’s imperative the Northern Territory justice system provides a safe and supportive environment for victims and survivors of domestic and family violence to enable the courts to hold perpetrators to account,” Ms Uibo said.

The Northern Territory’s first specialised domestic violence court has opened in Alice Springs

“Domestic and family violence rates in Central Australia are among the highest in the nation.

“The Territory Labor Government has invested in this multi-million-dollar overhaul of the Alice Springs Local Court to provide specialist infrastructure that enables victims to go through the court process without the added stress of coming face-to-face with defendants.

“This is a significant investment to ensure that the Territory’s most vulnerable, particularly children, can access the high quality court and domestic violence services they deserve and to ensure that those who do the wrong thing face the consequences.”

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Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia CEO, Larissa Ellis, said the dedicated domestic violence court had been a long time coming and was a welcome development for Alice Springs and Central Australia.

“The new facilities will provide a significant improvement in the court experience for survivors and victims of family violence and will hopefully empower more vulnerable victims to follow matters through the courts.”

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