Domestic and family violence programs in prison and Men’s Behaviour Change Programs

MBCPs are delivered in community settings in Alice Springs by Tangentyere Aboriginal Council Corporation (Tangentyere Council) and in Darwin and Wadeye by Catholic Care Northern Territory. Baseline funding of $1.14 million was expanded by $5.32 million for 2 years, to address demand. In October 2023, 5-year grant agreements were executed for both services that included the 2 years of increased funding.

The new service models include important safeguards, such as quarantined funding components for sufficient partner safety workers, and men’s outreach workers. The grant agreements also include obligations to provide priority places to persons ordered to participate by a Court under the sentencing reforms; align with the minimum standards and align with outcomes of the MBCP evaluation.

The Department of Children and Families is establishing a new MBCP in Katherine, funded by the Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses Federation Funding Agreement 2021-30 ($2.414 million over 3 years). The program model will prioritise the safety of victim-survivors and bring together an understanding of the gendered drivers of domestic and family violence (DFV), the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal people, and the use of alcohol and other drugs as a reinforcing factor in DFV. Following consultation, Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service was awarded the contract for the new program. Service design and testing is underway, as well as ongoing recruitment for key program staff.

Programs in prison for people who use violence have been expanded to prisoners on remand. Between July to December 2024, 12 Family Violence Programs were delivered to 103 remandees across 12 programs in Alice Springs and Darwin Correctional Centres. The RAGE program has been redesigned with 2 programs commencing October 2024 to include co-facilitation between a clinician and an Aboriginal program facilitator. Twenty-three prisoners are enrolled with the programs due for completion in February and May 2025.