NT Information Commissioner finds abuse survivors mistrust domestic violence Information Sharing Entity scheme

NT watchdog hears that women fleeing violence are scared to seek help over fears their abuse will be weaponised against them.

Domestic violence survivors are scared to reach out for help over fears their abuse will be weaponised against them by NT government agencies.

NT Information Commissioner Peter Shoyer’s review of the NT’s domestic violence information sharing scheme has revealed that survivors and frontline services had little trust in the scheme and its use by government agencies.

The 112-page review, which was tabled to parliament in March, analysed the implementation of the Information Sharing Entity (ISE) scheme.

The scheme was introduced in 2018 to allow services and government agencies to share potentially life-saving information for abuse victims, including perpetrator prison release dates, bail outcomes, or community management orders.

However the scheme also controversially allows abuse survivors’ information to be accessed by agencies without their knowledge or consent.

NT Information Commissioner Peter Shoyer has released his review of the NT’s domestic violence information sharing scheme in March.

Despite promising to “break down the barriers” between agencies – six years on, only 15 domestic violence related services have registered to become ISEs.

Mr Shoyer’s report found that while there was some support for the ISE, many services would not sign up to the scheme due to a lack of trust.

“It is apparent however that there remains a level of mistrust or disjunction that is hampering the responsible sharing of information between some government agencies and also with some external domestic violence related services,” Mr Shoyer said.

Services repeatedly told the commissioner their relationships with clients would break down if their information was shared and then used against them by agencies like the police or Territory Families.

“(There’s) a deep concern held by some victims, particularly Aboriginal women, that sharing information about their circumstances could lead to their children being removed from them,” he said.

A Central Australian service – whose name was de-identified – also told the Commissioner that women were being asked to chose between their own safety and losing their children or homelessness, and then were “blamed” for their choices.

It said there was a “culture” within some departments to blame these domestic violence victims who accused them of “failing to protect their children rather than being provided with the necessary support to enhance the safety of their family and leave.”

“They are managing their safety as best they can, but have limited or no options to leave a violent partner.” it said.

Some ISEs still reported delays in accessing critical information, which Mr Shoyer said was due to “a lack of resources or poor internal processes” and training within the NT Government.

Among his 13 recommendations was for additional resources for ISEs and departments, funding for training, and for the government to work with the sector about “confidentiality concerns”.

Domestic Violence Minister Kate Worden said the government was serious about improving outcomes for survivors, defending the ISE as part of that commitment.

“The scheme removes barriers and improves collaboration between services so they can work together to improve safety for people experiencing abuse,” Ms Worden said.

Domestic Violence Minister Kate Worden said the government was serious about improving outcomes for survivors, defending the ISE as part of that commitment. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

She said $250m has been invested since 2016 — an average of $31m a year — adding “we know there is still much more to do to reduce rates of domestic, family and sexual violence in the Territory”.

While noting the confidentiality concerns, her office said the scheme was only relevant in situations where the victim’s consent could not be obtained because it is not safe, possible or practical.

But Mr Shoyer said maintaining that trust was essential to keep women and children safe.

“If victims don’t seek help, then no amount of responsible information sharing between information sharing entities will assist them because their plight will remain unheard.”

Originally published as NT Information Commissioner finds abuse survivors mistrust domestic violence Information Sharing Entity scheme