A further $10.7 million fund to expand the support for organisations and services dealing with domestic and sexual violence, accommodation, children support and behavioural change programs in the Territory is being fast-tracked by the federal Albanese Government ahead of the October Federal Budget.

The $10 million additional subsidy brings the Territory’s total funding under the FDSV National Partnership to almost $15.5 million in the last two years. The fund is in addition to an earlier $260 million committed to state and territory governments under the partnership.

FDSV National Partnership forms part of the Federal Government’s pledge of a $1.3 billion fund for the implementation of the next National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children.

Federal Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said Indigenous women and children are at higher risk of experiencing family and domestic violence.

“We recognise there are complexities around delivering support services in remote parts of the Territory, so it’s critical they are receiving the funding they need to keep women and children safe,” Ms Rishworth said.

The Territory has the highest prevalence of domestic and family violence in Australia. Its domestic homicide rate is six times the national average, with family violence-related assaults three times the national average and three times higher than any other jurisdiction, NT Government Minister for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, Kate Worden said.

“Our funding should not be based on population size, we are grateful we have a Federal Government who has listened to our concerns,” she said.

“The extra $10.7 million enables a total investment of $54 million this year to address and prevent domestic family and sexual violence here in the Northern Territory.”

However, Darwin Aboriginal and Islander Women’s Shelter manager Regina Bennett said the funding was not enough to meet the Territory’s needs to protect women and children from violence and abuse.

“They’re going to need a lot more than $10 million to address levels of violence that continue to increase. The majority of our women and children come from remote communities” Ms Bennett told the ABC.

She said her shelter was seeing more women who had come to Darwin to escape violence in remote areas, including large communities that are missing out on support services.

Ms Bennett said she believed more trouble had been created by the NT Government’s lifting of Intervention-era alcohol restrictions, which Aboriginal health groups had said was done without a proper transition period.

“The government needs to look back at where they’re coming from, and look what’s happened,” she said.

The Territory is working with the Federal Government, and other states and territories, to implement the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032 by October this year.

“The complexities and challenges we have in the Territory are far greater than any other jurisdiction. Since 2016 the Territory Labor Government has invested over $158 million into tackling domestic, family and sexual violence. But we know more needs to be done,” Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said.

To report incidences of sexual assault, domestic or family violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au