No one should have to experience or live with Domestic, Family or Sexual Violence.
Territorians face the highest rates of DFSV in the country and NT Government data shows our domestic homicides rates are six times the national average.
It’s critical that survivors can access DFSV services and get help.
As the peak body representing the community sector NTCOSS has been advocating for, and with, the specialist Domestic Family and Sexual Violence service sector in the NT to improve safety, well-being, economic and social justice outcomes for victims and their children.
It’s lobbying from NTCOSS and our membership, together with efforts from the Territory Families Minister Kate Worden, that’s led to this week’s Commonwealth funding announcement.
The additional $10.7 million committed under the National Partnership on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses, is welcome recognition the current funding model isn’t good enough.
NTCOSS welcomes this one-off Commonwealth investment but is calling on the federal government to commit to a funding model that better reflects the rate of DFSV in the NT.
NTCOSS CEO Deborah Di Natale:
“We have a crisis in Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence in the NT and it’s critical that DFSV survivors can access services in the prevention, early intervention, response and recovery space.”
“NTCOSS has been working with our membership to detail the priorities for the sector, working on community led, co-design principles.”
“We will be updating that work with our membership and collaborating closely with the NT Government to ensure we can achieve in those areas through this funding.”
“This one-off funding is important recognition that the current funding model isn’t adequate to meet the need in the NT.”
“The funding model must reflect the Territory’s staggering DFSV rates and the increased costs of providing services in remote and very remote settings.”
“NTCOSS calls on the Commonwealth to provide ongoing needs-based funding for this critical issue.”
Media Contact: media@ntcoss.org.au 0487 888 753