Arabic version: تزايد الدعوات لخدمات مواجهة العنف في المناطق النائية بالإقليم الشمالي

According to ABC News, calls are increasing for stronger safety measures and domestic, family and sexual violence services in remote Northern Territory Aboriginal communities following the alleged murder of a 16-year-old girl in Alpurrurulum earlier this month.

A 26-year-old man has faced court over the teenager’s death in the community near the Northern Territory–Queensland border. Pressure is also growing to reopen Alpurrurulum’s permanent police station, which has been closed since 2018.

Special Envoy for Remote Communities Marion Scrymgour said she had written to the federal and Territory governments seeking the station’s reopening. She said communities lacked police, resources and infrastructure, and said violence was not confined to Alpurrurulum, citing concerns for women and children in Wadeye and violence in Katherine.

The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory has called for urgent investment in services for women and children in remote communities. Chief executive Donna Ah Chee said members were concerned by shortages of specialist family-violence services, safe accommodation and a permanent police presence.

Ah Chee said health clinics can be the only available response when women or children experience violence, particularly outside regular hours. She said contact with a clinic should lead to specialist workers, safe accommodation and continuing support, alongside coordinated action across health, housing, specialist services and government.