The Territory Labor Government is continuing to drive generational change and reduce the rates of domestic, family and sexual violence by investing in a pilot Men's Behaviour Change Program in Katherine.
The new $2.41 million program will run for three years, and deliver tailored services to men to educate them about what drives their abusive behaviour, including how the use of alcohol and drugs contributes to their behaviour, with a service provider expected to be appointed by July.
This program will hold men to account and keep women and children safe as the main priority.
Men's Behaviour Change Programs are already in place in Darwin, Alice Springs and Wadeye. Under Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Action Plan 2 announced last year, the government has increased funding by $5.32 million to these existing services to immediately expand their capacity.
Last financial year 98 men participated in the Alice Springs program with a further 58 in Darwin and 16 in Wadeye. This expansion will mean we can do more.
The Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Reduction Framework 2018-28 steps out the need for innovative solutions to prevent and respond to domestic, family and sexual violence.
The FDSV National Partnership has invested $28.8 million into the Northern Territory between 2021 and 2027.
The pilot program is being funded the Territory Government National Partnership Agreement with the Australian Government, where through the program, men are held accountable for their actions and are supported to develop new behaviours, attitudes and beliefs.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Prevention Kate Worden
"Domestic, family and sexual violence remains too prevalent in the Northern Territory. These programs will support more men to be accountable for their violence and enhance the safety of women and children.
"Addressing DFSV requires long-term commitment across multi-layered support services. By focussing on people who are using violence we have a better chance of intervening earlier, rather than waiting until crisis point.
"These programs support men to take responsibility for their actions while receiving support to help them change.
"We're partnering with the Australian Government to better protect and support victim survivors, their children and the wider community and provide men with the support they need to change their behaviours."
Quotes attributable to Australian Government Assistant Minister for Social Services and Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Justine Elliot
"Addressing perpetrator behaviour is a crucial to eliminating violence against women and children and requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society commitment.
"The First Action Plan under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022‑32 sets out a shared goal for all levels of government to create safer communities by empowering perpetrators to change their behaviour.
"All levels of government must drive change by targeting the root causes of violence, holding people who choose to use violence to account, and stopping generational cycles of violence from repeating.
"Our strong partnership with the Northern Territory reflects our dedication to creating lasting change and delivering coordinated, integrated approaches to stop the cycle of violence."
Northern Territory Government
