More Territorians – including students, women with disability, people living in remote communities, and men and boys – will have access to locally-led domestic, family and sexual violence prevention programs through the Northern Territory Government’s Primary Prevention Grants.
Department of Children and Families Acting CEO Karen Broadfoot today announced the recipients of the government’s $4.9 million program, supporting eight community-led projects over the next three years.
“The Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Primary Prevention Grants are delivering culturally informed, place-based initiatives across urban, regional and remote parts of the Territory,” Ms Broadfoot said.
“These projects will give people the knowledge, skills and confidence to build respectful relationships, challenge the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence, and create safer futures for women, children and families.
“More than 60% of the projects are Aboriginal-led or delivered in partnership with Aboriginal organisations, ensuring communities can lead prevention approaches that reflect local strengths, priorities and cultural knowledge.”
The projects include respectful relationships education in schools, survivor-led advocacy, accessible prevention programs for women with disability, community leadership initiatives, engagement with remote homelands and culturally led programs working with men and boys.
Initiatives will be delivered across Darwin, Palmerston, Alice Springs, East Arnhem, Galiwinku, Gapuwiyak, Borroloola, Katherine and the Roper Gulf region from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029.
The grants support the NT Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Reduction Strategy 2025-2028 by investing in community-led action that addresses the underlying drivers of violence and helps prevent violence before it occurs.
Department of Children and Families Executive Director of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Reduction Seranie Gamble said prevention was critical to achieving long-term change.
“Domestic, family and sexual violence has devastating impacts on individuals, families and communities. While strong responses are critical when violence occurs, we must work together to prevent it from happening in the first place,” Ms Gamble said.
“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.
“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 successful recipients is Ruby Gaea Darwin Centre Against Sexual Violence Inc, which will deliver its Schools Based DFSV Primary Prevention Program across Darwin and Palmerston.
Ruby Gaea interim CEO April Robinson said the program would be developed with specialised services and young people to build the knowledge and skills needed for healthy relationships
“Prevention means walking beside young people and together developing the knowledge, confidence and support to recognise what respectful relationships look like.
“Our program will create opportunities for young people to have open and age-appropriate conversations about consent, respect, boundaries and healthy relationships, through innovative educational initiatives with specialised services.
“We are pleased to be working initially with Sanderson High School, building the skills young people need to develop positive relationships and contributing to safer communities.”
The successful organisations and projects are:
Ruby Gaea Darwin Centre Against Sexual Violence Inc – Schools Based DFSV Primary Prevention Program – Darwin and Palmerston.YWCA Australia – YWCA Primary Prevention Advocacy Group – Darwin and Palmerston. Lankurna Pty Ltd – From Crisis to Stability: Identification Pathways for Domestic and Family Violence Prevention – Darwin and Borroloola.Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia – Collaborative Pathways: DFSV Primary Prevention for Women with Disabilities – Alice SpringsAkeyulerre Aboriginal Corporation – Utyerre Mape – Strong Men, Safe Families – Central Australia.Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation – Strong Families, Safe Community – East Arnhem.Yalu Aboriginal Corporation – DFSV Primary Prevention Education on Remote Homelands and Communities – Galiwinku and Gapuwiyak.Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation – Growing Strongbala Men for Family & Community Safety – Katherine and Roper Gulf region.
