The Albanese Labor Government supports First Nations women and children in Darwin to leave violent intimate partner relationships.
This is one of three regional place-based trials commencing on 1 July, which complements the next stage of the $925-million Leaving Violence Program (LVP). The government is investing $22.35 million in trials in Darwin, Dubbo in NSW and Broome in WA, to provide tailored, trauma-informed support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service receives the funding to partner with Danila Dilba Health Services, the Darwin Aboriginal and Islander Women’s Shelter and Yilli Rreung Housing. The community organisation will provide victim-survivors with an option to access the LVP through their service.
Under the LVP, eligible victim-survivors receive up to $5,000 in financial support, including up to $1,500 in cash and the remainder in goods and services. Support offered includes safety planning, risk assessment and referrals to other essential services for up to 12 weeks. The program is expected to support over 36,000 victim-survivors a year.
“By providing culturally safe, trauma-informed support, we can empower victim-survivors within our Indigenous communities to regain safety, stability, and control over their lives and wellbeing,” said Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Social Services. “No person in our country should be forced to live in an environment that compromises their safety or agency, and this expansion of the program will allow hundreds of vulnerable Australians to take that first step into a brighter future.”
Meanwhile, Luke Gosling, Member for Solomon, notes the government understands no two victim-survivors’ experiences are the same, and neither is the support they need.
“It may feel as though all choices have been removed for those enduring intimate partner violence, and that’s something we’re committed to changing,” Gosling said. “We acknowledge the courage it takes to leave an environment of violence and encourage those in a violent relationship to reach out for support.”
Intimate partner violence is considered an epidemic problem in Australia, with a quarter of Australian women having experienced it in their lifetime.
The LVP helps support the aims of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32 to end violence in one generation and forms part of the Albanese Government’s $4 billion investment in women’s safety since 2022. It also makes the Escaping Violence Program trial permanent, from which 78,000 victim-survivors have benefitted since 2021.
Read also: Queensland launches new programs to end gender-based violence
Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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