Domestic, family and sexual violence

Introduction

This page has information about the signs of domestic and family violence and help available for victims in the Northern Territory (NT).

You must report domestic and family violence to NT police. It is a requirement under the law.

How to report

If someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000.

If you need a place to stay, read about about services you can contact to get help for domestic and family violence.

If you are victim of sexual assault, find out more about help for sexual assault victims or reporting sexual assault.


About domestic, family and sexual violence

Domestic and family violence can take many forms. It can happen to anyone.

It is when a partner, ex-partner or family member hurts another family member.

It could be carried out by any of the following:

  • your partner
  • your ex-partner
  • someone you have had an intimate personal relationship with
  • a relative, including people who are relatives according to Aboriginal traditional or contemporary social practice
  • someone you live with or have lived with
  • a carer
  • a guardian.

Domestic or family violence can include any of the following:

  • physical harm
  • violent behaviour
  • threatening behaviour
  • sexual abuse
  • verbal abuse
  • psychological or emotional abuse
  • social abuse
  • neglect
  • financial exploitation
  • other type of abuse.

Get help for domestic, family and sexual violence

If you are experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, you should call a friend or a support service listed below.

You can also call:

  • the Northern Territory Police on 131 444.
  • 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732 - a national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service
  • Lifeline - the national personal crisis support service on 131 114
  • Kids helpline - for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years for any reason on 1800 551 800 or webchat
  • MensLine Australia - for men who are worried they are using violence on 1300 789 978 or webchat
  • QLife - Anonymous, LGBTI peer support and referral on 1800 184 527 or webchat.

Find out more about how to report domestic and family violence.

You can find out how to contact other community social services from the Northern Territory Council of Social Services' (NTCOSS) online directory.

Read below to find your nearest support service.

ServicePhone
Women's Safety Services of Central Australia - shelter  08 8952 6075
Women's Safety Services of Central Australia - outreach team  08 8953 7648
Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation - Men's Outreach Assessment & Referral Service (MOARS) 08 8952 1430
Sexual Assault Referral Centre  08 8955 4500
Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women's Council - domestic and family violence service  08 8958 2345
Hermannsburg Safe House - operated by Territory Families 08 8954 9151
Ti-Tree Safe House - operated by Territory Families 08 8956 9019
Yuendumu Safe House - operated by Territory Families 08 8956 4138
Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit
Aboriginal Corporation (CAAFLU)
08 8953 6355
1800 088 884
Central Australian Women’s Legal Service 1800 684 055
Domestic Violence Legal Help Alice Springs 1800 684 055
NT Legal Aid Commission 1800 019 343

ServicePhone
Catholic Care NT Men's Behaviour Change Program08 8944 2000
Dawn House Inc. - shelter, counselling and outreach 08 8945 1388
Darwin Aboriginal and Indigenous Women’s Shelter and Outreach 08 8945 2284
Salvation Army NT Property Trust - Catherine Booth House  08 8981 5928
YWCA - Domestic and Family Violence Centre 08 8932 9155
Sexual Assault Referral Centre 08 8922 6472
Ruby Gaea Darwin Centre Against Sexual Violence 08 8945 0155
Tiwi Islands - Milikapiti Safe House - CatholicCare NT 08 8970 9007
Wurrumiyanga (Nguiu) Safe House  -operated by Territory Families 08 8970 9161
Domestic Violence Legal Services (DVLS) 08 8999 7977
North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service 08 8923 8200
NT Legal Aid Commission 1800 019 343
Top End Women's Legal Service 08 8982 3000

ServicePhone
Katherine Women’s Crisis Centre - crisis accommodation, outreach and counselling 08 8972 1332
Sexual Assault Referral Centre 08 8973 8524
Borroloola Safe House - Mabunji Aboriginal Resource Association 08 8975 8738
Beswick/Wugularr Safe House - operated by Territory Families 08 8975 4464
Lajamanu Safe House - operated by Territory Families 08 8975 0373
Nauiyu Safe House - CatholicCare NT 08 8978 2876
Gunbalanya Women's Safe House - West Arnhem Regional Council  08 8970 3700
Kalkarindji Safe House - operated by Territory Families 08 8975 1179
Ngukurr Safe House - operated by Territory Families 08 8975 4434
Wadeye Safe House - One Tree Community Services Inc.  08 8978 1020
Yarralin Safe House - operated by Territory Families 08 8975 1103
Katherine Women's Information and Legal Service 08 8972 1712
North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service 08 8972 3200
NT Legal Aid Commission 1800 019 343

ServicesPhone
Nhulunbuy crisis accommodation  08 8987 1166
Groote Eylandt: Angurugu Safe House - operated by Territory Families 08 8987 6726
Maningrida Safe House  operated by Territory Families 08 8979 5861
Ramingining Safe House - operated by Territory Families 08 8979 7879
NT Legal Aid Commission 1800 019 343

ServicesPhone
Tennant Creek Women’s Refuge - crisis accommodation, outreach and counselling 08 8962 1940
Sexual Assault Referral Centre 08 8962 4361
Ali Curung Safe House - Barkly Shire Council 08 8964 1967
Elliott Safe House - Barkly Shire Council 08 8969 2097
NT Legal Aid Commission 1800 019 343
Central Australian Women’s Legal Service 1800 684 055
Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit  
Aboriginal Corporation (CAAFLU)
08 8953 6355
1800 068 830

Report domestic, family and sexual violence

Under Northern Territory (NT) law you must report domestic and family violence to NT police.

This includes if someone has been seriously hurt or is in danger of being hurt. You must do this as soon as possible.

Read more about domestic and family violence.

How to report domestic, family and sexual violence

Call 000 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.

If it's not an emergency, call police on 131 444.

If you don’t feel comfortable, get someone you trust to call the police for you.

You don’t have to give your name and contact details if you don’t want to.

What information you should give to police

You should tell police all of the following:

  • the location of the violence or abuse
  • if the person needs medical help
  • if there are any children nearby
  • if there are any weapons involved
  • the name of the victim or the other person if you know
  • the relationship between the victim and the other person.

Penalty for not reporting domestic violence

If police believe that you have not made a report and there is sufficient evidence that you should have, then you may be charged with an offence.

The offence has a maximum fine of more than $20,000.