Media Release

Northern Territory Government

Department of Children and Families 16 Days of Activism campaign begins

25 November 2024

The Northern Territory Government is lending its support to the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence movement, with a social media campaign beginning today which showcases how Territorians are making a difference and delivers the important message that this violence needs to stop.

In the Northern Territory, where domestic and family violence (DFV) rates are the highest in Australia, this year the campaign holds special significance as the findings of the Northern Territory domestic and family violence Coronial Inquests were handed down on the first day of the campaign.

The Facebook campaign features prominent activists, advocates, leaders and organisations who are sharing how they are taking action to end domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) and encouraging others step up and speak out against gender-based violence.

Those who have taken part include: Dr Charlie King AM, Founder of NO MORE; Bettina Danganbarr AO, Founder and Chairperson of Galiwin’ku Women’s Space; Dr John Paterson, CEO of Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) and Chair of Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APONT); and Dr Lucy Owen, Senior Registrar in Emergency Medicine, Royal Darwin Hospital.

Other representatives from organisations in legal, health, social services and education all generously contributed their insights to the campaign, demonstrating that to address gender-based violence, a community-wide response is required.

Territorians can view the social media campaign at facebook.com/TFHC.NT [https://www.facebook.com/TFHC.NT] and are encouraged to share the #16DaysofActivism posts with their networks. More information on 16 Days of Activism events being held across the Territory can also be found at 16 Days of Activism | Department of Children and Families [https://families.nt.gov.au/news/2024/16-days-of-activism]

Under Action Plan 2 of the Northern Territory Government’s 10-year DFSV Reduction Framework; Safe, Respected and Free from Violence 2018 – 2028, the Government is delivering a range of initiatives to address DFSV. These include: the expansion of Men’s Behaviour Change Programs; enabling Aboriginal-led responses in Aboriginal communities; launching co-responder models with specialist services working alongside Police; training workers in risk assessment and management; creating new children’s workers to support children as victim survivors in their own right; piloting new housing programs; strengthening the Family Safety Framework; and establishing a systemic DFV death review function.

For more information about what is being done to reduce DFSV in the Northern Territory visit Domestic, family and sexual violence reduction | Department of Children and Families [https://families.nt.gov.au/domestic,-family-and-sexual-violence/domestic-and-family-violence-reduction-strategy].

If you or someone you know is experiencing DFSV and is in immediate danger, please call 000. For further support, please contact one of the helplines or support services listed here: Get help for domestic, family and sexual violence | NT.GOV.AU [https://nt.gov.au/law/crime/domestic-family-and-sexual-violence/get-help-for-domestic-family-and-sexual-violence?fbclid=IwY2xjawGwsAhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHYbtlg83ZG_GkXaA2oyn4hjq7oEiH5GnpPvZqL-4OXuU8iBjspYodlKgQg_aem_FaSUISG9UtgVYYIfTg_F5g]

Quotes attributable to Department of Children and Families CEO Emma White

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families, friends and community impacted by the deaths of Miss Yunupingu, Ngeygo Ragurrk, Kumarn Rubuntja and Kumanjayi Haywood.

“Our role as Government is to help protect and support individuals, children and families and we care deeply about anyone affected by domestic, family and sexual violence. The loss of anyone from domestic and family violence has a profound impact on our community and we are saddened the Northern Territory continues to experience the highest rates of domestic, family and sexual violence in the country and that Aboriginal women are disproportionately affected.

“The 16 Days of Activism campaign shines an important spotlight on the need to come together to stop gender-based violence. We encourage all Territorians to get involved in the 16 Days of Activism campaign, whether that’s by engaging in social media to create awareness of the need to take action to stop violence or by attending an event.

“So much meaningful work is already underway across the Territory, but to create a future where everyone feels safe and respected, we need everyone’s help to step up and speak out.”

Media contact: tfhc.media@nt.gov.au

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