Communities leading change to prevent violence
Communities across the Northern Territory are leading new efforts to prevent domestic, family and sexual violence through locally designed programs that reflect their strengths, priorities and cultural knowledge.
We have awarded funding through the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Primary Prevention Grants Program to support 8 community-led projects over the next 3 years.
The projects will be delivered across urban, regional and remote communities, including Darwin, Palmerston, Alice Springs, East Arnhem, Katherine, Borroloola and the Roper Gulf region.
The projects will help more Territorians build respectful relationships, challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours and create safer futures for women, children and families.
More than 60% of the funded projects are Aboriginal-led or delivered in partnership with Aboriginal organisations, ensuring communities are at the centre of designing and delivering prevention initiatives.
Acting CEO Karen Broadfoot said the grants support culturally informed, place-based approaches that address the underlying drivers of violence before it occurs.
'Communities understand the attitudes, behaviours and circumstances that contribute to violence locally and are best placed to lead solutions that will make a meaningful difference,' Ms Broadfoot said.
The funded projects include respectful relationships education in schools, survivor-led advocacy, prevention programs for women with disability, community leadership initiatives, engagement with remote homelands and culturally led programs working with men and boys.
Executive Director of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Reduction Seranie Gamble said prevention was critical to creating long-term change.
'While strong responses are critical when violence occurs, we must also work together to prevent it from happening in the first place,' Ms Gamble said.
'By supporting communities to strengthen respectful relationships, promote equality and challenge harmful behaviours, we can help reduce violence over the long term and create safer communities for the next generation.'
One of the funded organisations is Ruby Gaea Darwin Centre Against Sexual Violence, which will deliver a school-based prevention program across Darwin and Palmerston.
The program will work with specialised services and young people to build understanding of consent, respect, boundaries and healthy relationships, helping young people develop the skills and confidence to foster positive relationships.
The grants support the NT Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Reduction Strategy 2025-2028 and reinforce our commitment to preventing violence before it occurs through community-led action.
Funded projects
- Ruby Gaea Darwin Centre Against Sexual Violence Inc, Darwin and Palmerston
- YWCA Australia, Darwin and Palmerston
- Lankurna Pty Ltd, Darwin and Borroloola
- Women's Safety Services of Central Australia, Alice Springs
- Akeyulerre Aboriginal Corporation, Central Australia
- Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation, East Arnhem
- Yalu Aboriginal Corporation, Galiwinku and Gapuwiyak
- Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation, Katherine and Roper Gulf region
