Cruel, shortsighted and idiotic move
FOR decades, Dawn House has been a place of refuge for Territory women and their children fleeing violent homes.
There’s no telling how many women are alive today because of the crisis support provided by the service, which has operated since 1976.
Last financial year, it accommodated more than 600 people, helping them navigate through one of the most traumatic periods of their lives.
Some of these women and children arrived in the dead of night, living through a waking nightmare.
Soon, they will have nowhere to go.
Dawn House has been told its federal funding will cease in December. In the bureaucratic language of federal public servants, Dawn House was “unsuccessful in a tender process”.
In practical terms, that means a service which has been a safe haven for women in fear for their lives and the lives of their children will no longer be able to operate outside office hours or on weekends.
It’s no secret the Territory has a problem with domestic violence.
In the past year, NT Police recorded 4096 family violence incidents.
The real number is likely many times that figure.
But despite the fact thousands of Territory women and children suffer violence at the hands of a family member each year, the Federal Government has still decided to discontinue its funding to Dawn House.
From December, if women in Darwin and Palmerston living through in domestic violence need help, they are going to have to do it during office hours.
The service doesn’t receive that much from the Federal Government in the first place — in 2016, its federal funding was almost halved, going from $43,000 to $23,000.
Keeping Dawn House open around the clock and providing women a safe place to go in times of unimaginable trauma would come at a cost to the Federal Government about the same as a small car a year.
As Dawn House executive officer Susan Crane says in rain. The Mary Anne Dam is almost bone dry. Not to mention the rest of the NT. Michelle N-Bjay Hell. Carolyn Lambert As Territorians all we can do is CYCLONE PARTY. Rhys Ablett
Wasn’t there a time when cyclones were named after females? Sue Morris Terrifying really. Joan Jerram
I hope everyone managed to get out safely and no one is going to go through that! India Etherington
That looks like a big one I hope everyone is safe. Razz San Dela Cruz Thanks for the rain Trev. Sue Tilley Thoughts are with all those affected . Peta Mayo Stay safe NT people. Karen Isaia I hope darwin gets rain. Stephen Eric Cross
Best of luck to the communities and all those in Big Trevs path. Tom Tesoriero Wow, I wouldn’t want to be there! Stay safe anyone that’s still near where it is! Paul van Deventer Lock down...hope everyone gets through. Sue Taylor Was such a comfortable ride out of McArthur River. Mark Atkins
As long as no lives are compromised everything is replaceable. Andrea Vargas
Yeah hope for some decent rain in Dustbowl Darwin! Sam Thomson We need the rain but. Jaames Duffy