NT coroner calls on police to be proactive in domestic violence cases
8 years, 7 months ago

NT coroner calls on police to be proactive in domestic violence cases

ABC  

The Northern Territory coroner has urged police to be more proactive when domestic violence victims do not pursue action against their abusive partners, at a joint inquest into the death of two women. Coroner Greg Cavanagh heard Stanley Scrutton had spent a total of five-and-a-half years behind bars — more than half the time he was in the relationship — for abusing Ms Murphy and breaching domestic violence orders. The court heard Nathan Swan and Kwementyaye McCormack had a history of domestic violence, with police attending their home 32 times for disturbances since 2003. NT coroner Greg Cavanagh said Ms Murphy's case was "a tragic example of battered women's syndrome".

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NT police charge man with murder after Alice Springs woman found dead
1 month, 1 week ago

NT police charge man with murder after Alice Springs woman found dead

ABC  

Police have charged a 39-year-old man with murder following the alleged domestic violence killing of a woman in Alice Springs on Sunday. Family and domestic violence support services: If you need help immediately call emergency services on triple-0 1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732 Women's Crisis Line: 1800 811 811 Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491 Lifeline: 131 114 …

Calls for urgent action on NT domestic violence after woman found dead near Alice Springs riverbed
2 months, 1 week ago

Calls for urgent action on NT domestic violence after woman found dead near Alice Springs riverbed

ABC  

The suspected domestic violence-related death of a woman in Alice Springs has been called "tragic" and "entirely preventable" as women's safety advocates renew calls for urgent action to tackle the issue. Women's Safety Services of Central Australia chief executive Larissa Ellis told ABC Radio Darwin the woman's death was a tragedy and highlighted the urgent need for action on domestic …

Domestic violence workers lobby for urgent funding to implement NT coroner's recommendations after landmark inquest
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Domestic violence workers lobby for urgent funding to implement NT coroner's recommendations after landmark inquest

ABC  

Frontline workers say there is "no excuse" for inadequate funding for services after a landmark coronial inquest exposed the grim reality of domestic violence in the Northern Territory. Alice Springs domestic violence researcher Chay Brown said the response to the NT's disproportionately high rates of domestic and family violence "has never been funded adequately". In a statement, federal Social Services …

NT coroner to deliver findings of landmark inquest into domestic violence deaths of Aboriginal women
Trending News
3 months, 3 weeks ago

NT coroner to deliver findings of landmark inquest into domestic violence deaths of Aboriginal women

ABC  

The Northern Territory coroner will today hand down her findings and recommendations after a landmark coronial inquiry into the domestic violence killings of four Aboriginal women in the territory. NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage has spent more than a year investigating their deaths and the broader domestic and family violence response system in the NT, in the most extensive coronial inquest …

NT coroner to hand down findings in landmark domestic violence inquiry
3 months, 3 weeks ago

NT coroner to hand down findings in landmark domestic violence inquiry

ABC  

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the names of Indigenous people who have died, used with the permission of their families. Family and domestic violence support services: If you need help immediately call emergency services on triple-0 1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732 Women's Crisis Line: 1800 811 811 Men's Referral Service: …

Legal services raise concerns over NT Police's mishandling of domestic violence allegation against detective
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Legal services raise concerns over NT Police's mishandling of domestic violence allegation against detective

ABC  

Legal services representing Northern Territory women fleeing domestic violence say revelations NT Police botched a case against one of its own detectives is a troubling sign for victims seeking help. Family and domestic violence support services: If you need help immediately call emergency services on triple-0 1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732 Women's Crisis Line: 1800 811 811 Men's …

The NT coroner examined the territory's 'domestic violence epidemic' in a series of inquests. Watch a summary of the evidence
1 year, 4 months ago

The NT coroner examined the territory's 'domestic violence epidemic' in a series of inquests. Watch a summary of the evidence

ABC  

When Northern Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage opened an inquiry into the territory's domestic, family, and sexual violence system in June this year, it was clear she already knew the situation was dire. Her series of coronial inquests examined the deaths of four of the 76 Aboriginal women killed by their partners in the NT since the year 2000 — Kumanjayi …

NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage wraps up domestic violence inquiry after six months
1 year, 4 months ago

NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage wraps up domestic violence inquiry after six months

ABC  

After eight weeks of evidence, across the past six months, Northern Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage has adjourned her landmark inquiry into the NT's domestic, family and sexual violence system. Key points: A six-month inquiry into the NT's domestic violence system has concluded The NT coroner will hand down her findings and recommendations next year The families of the killed women …

Causes of domestic violence 'compounded' in the Northern Territory, coroner hears
1 year, 4 months ago

Causes of domestic violence 'compounded' in the Northern Territory, coroner hears

ABC  

Rates of domestic, family and sexual violence in the Northern Territory are the highest in the country, because the issues which drive it are "compounded" in the NT, the coroner has heard. Key points: National DFSV Commissioner Micaela Cronin said the "ongoing impact of colonisation" effects violence rates in Indigenous communities Police Commissioner Michael Murphy attended the inquest for the …

Expert tells coroner domestic violence 'flourishes' in the NT, as months-long inquest reopens for final sittings
1 year, 4 months ago

Expert tells coroner domestic violence 'flourishes' in the NT, as months-long inquest reopens for final sittings

ABC  

The Northern Territory's domestic, family and sexual violence response system is operating in "crisis mode", the coroner has heard, with violence allowed to "flourish" in the community. Government has a 'strong' framework, department says The executive director of the office of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Reduction within the department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities told the coroner the …

Domestic violence inquiry resumes in Darwin as coroner examines killings of four Aboriginal women
1 year, 4 months ago

Domestic violence inquiry resumes in Darwin as coroner examines killings of four Aboriginal women

ABC  

In the Northern Territory, you're seven times more likely to be killed by your intimate partner than anywhere else in the country. Key points: Coroner Elisabeth Armitage has spent more than six weeks investigating the deaths of four Aboriginal women Domestic, family and sexual violence rates in the Northern Territory are the highest in the country Professor Marcia Langton is …

Domestic violence specialists to work with police to improve family violence responses, inquest hears
1 year, 6 months ago

Domestic violence specialists to work with police to improve family violence responses, inquest hears

ABC  

Collaboration between police and domestic violence specialists could be part of the "radical change" the Northern Territory coroner says is needed within the NT's domestic and family violence system. Key points: A joint domestic violence response between police and specialist services is being developed in Alice Springs Tangentyere Council hopes to introduce a men’s behaviour change program in prisons The …

NT coroner hears Zachary Rolfe attended domestic violence call-outs before woman's murder in Alice Springs
1 year, 7 months ago

NT coroner hears Zachary Rolfe attended domestic violence call-outs before woman's murder in Alice Springs

ABC  

Body-worn-camera footage of former NT Police constable Zachary Rolfe has been shown to the coronial inquest into the death of a high-profile anti-violence campaigner, with his interactions criticised as "inappropriate" at times. Key points: Kumarn Rubuntja was murdered by her partner Malcolm Abbott in the Alice Springs Hospital car park in January 2021 Abbott pleaded guilty to murder in 2022 …

After woman's alleged murder, NT domestic violence campaigner says sector 'woefully' underfunded
1 year, 8 months ago

After woman's alleged murder, NT domestic violence campaigner says sector 'woefully' underfunded

ABC  

In the wake of the alleged murder of a woman by her partner in Alice Springs, a leading Northern Territory domestic violence campaigner has called for immediate action to address the sector's "woefully inadequate" funding model. Key points: Advocates have reiterated calls for needs-based funding for the domestic and family violence support sector It comes amid an inquest into the …

Man charged with murdering his partner after allegedly assaulting her with 'blunt weapon' in Alice Springs
1 year, 8 months ago

Man charged with murdering his partner after allegedly assaulting her with 'blunt weapon' in Alice Springs

ABC  

A man in his 50s has been charged with murdering his partner after allegedly assaulting her with a "blunt weapon" in Alice Springs. Key points: A 47-year-old woman died on Saturday after allegedly being assaulted at a bush camp NT Police have charged her partner with murder, and two other offences The death comes mid-way through an inquest into domestic …

Halfway through a domestic violence inquest, the NT coroner is unravelling a system in crisis
1 year, 8 months ago

Halfway through a domestic violence inquest, the NT coroner is unravelling a system in crisis

ABC  

When Coroner Elisabeth Armitage began a months-long inquiry into the domestic violence killings of four Aboriginal women, it was clear she already knew the situation was dire. Key points: Coroner Elisabeth Armitage has spent the last two weeks hearing evidence about the death of Ngeygo Ragurrk A "wholly inadequate" police response in the hours before Ms Ragurrk's death has been …

NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage visits emergency call centre as part of domestic violence inquest
1 year, 8 months ago

NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage visits emergency call centre as part of domestic violence inquest

ABC  

Tucked away at Darwin's police headquarters around 9pm on a Tuesday night, just three triple-0 call-takers answer pleas for police assistance. Key points: NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage visited the Joint Emergency Services Communications Centre The visit came at the end of the second of four domestic violence coronial inquests The coroner heard the call centre can cater for 50 foreign …

NT DV rates have more than doubled in a decade, are expected to increase further, inquest hears
1 year, 8 months ago

NT DV rates have more than doubled in a decade, are expected to increase further, inquest hears

ABC  

A "tidal flow" of domestic and family violence reports is expected to hit the Northern Territory, with rates projected to increase by more than 70 per cent over the next 10 years, after already increasing by 117 per cent in the previous decade, the Northern Territory coroner has heard. Key points: The coroner heard there has been a 117 per …

DV inquest shown body-worn footage of killer interacting with police, hours before fatal attack
1 year, 8 months ago

DV inquest shown body-worn footage of killer interacting with police, hours before fatal attack

ABC  

Hours before he fatally attacked his partner, a man told police to "take to prison" for setting her car on fire and threatened to light up a petrol station, but responding officers "just missed the red flags" and did not arrest him when they should have, the NT coroner has heard. Key points: NT Police has admitted to missing "red …

NT coroner examines death of 34-year-old woman at start of six-month inquest into domestic violence
1 year, 8 months ago

NT coroner examines death of 34-year-old woman at start of six-month inquest into domestic violence

ABC  

Opening her inquest with a trademark soft smile and empathetic tone of voice, Coroner Elisabeth Armitage foreshadowed a harrowing investigation ahead. "For the past 23 years, on average more than three Aboriginal women have been killed each year in the Northern Territory by domestic partners," Judge Armitage said. After hearing evidence of "missed opportunities", "mistakes" and "miscommunications", Judge Armitage said …

NT Health and police witnesses front final day of coronial inquest into domestic violence killing
1 year, 9 months ago

NT Health and police witnesses front final day of coronial inquest into domestic violence killing

ABC  

A senior doctor at Alice Springs Hospital has described the expiration of intervention-era alcohol restrictions in Central Australia as "like a light switch being flicked", when it came to the number of domestic violence-related presentations to the emergency room. Key points: The deaths of four Aboriginal women killed by their partners are currently being investigated by the coroner An Alice …

NT Coroner hears of moments witnesses tried to save victims from fatal house fire, as DV inquest continues
1 year, 9 months ago

NT Coroner hears of moments witnesses tried to save victims from fatal house fire, as DV inquest continues

ABC  

Two women who watched a home go up in flames when a man set fire to it during a fatal domestic violence attack, have re-lived for the Northern Territory coroner the moment they tried desperately to save people inside, including a toddler. Key points: Kumanjayi Haywood died after her partner set a house on fire while she hid inside The …

Tragic details of fatal domestic violence attack detailed in NT coroner's court, as landmark inquest begins
1 year, 9 months ago

Tragic details of fatal domestic violence attack detailed in NT coroner's court, as landmark inquest begins

ABC  

The first day of hearings in a series of inquests into the deaths of four Aboriginal women at the hands of their partners has heard horrifying details of one victim's death in a house fire lit by her partner. Key points: Kumanjayi Haywood died after her partner set a house on fire while she hid inside The court heard the …

NT coroner to examine domestic violence killings of four Aboriginal women in month-long inquest
1 year, 10 months ago

NT coroner to examine domestic violence killings of four Aboriginal women in month-long inquest

ABC  

In a landmark inquiry later this year, the Northern Territory coroner will spend four weeks examining the deaths of four Aboriginal women who were killed by their partners, despite a history of domestic violence reports. Key points: NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage will investigate the deaths of four Aboriginal women at the hands of their partners Police, corrections and domestic violence …

NT Police superintendent acknowledges agency failures in domestic violence responses
2 years, 4 months ago

NT Police superintendent acknowledges agency failures in domestic violence responses

ABC  

The woman leading an audit of the Northern Territory police force's response to domestic violence has acknowledged "clear" mistakes and victim blaming are among its past failings. Key points: Kirsten Engels says NT Police have failed in the past when responding to some domestic violence incidents She is leading an audit into NT Police's handling of investigations into intimate partner …

Northern Territory Police to 'audit' handling of domestic violence incidents in Alice Springs and central Australia
2 years, 4 months ago

Northern Territory Police to 'audit' handling of domestic violence incidents in Alice Springs and central Australia

ABC  

Northern Territory police have announced plans to review their handling of domestic violence incidents, in the wake of reporting on the high levels of violence against Aboriginal women and concerns about police responses to it. Key points: A new taskforce will 'audit' police responses to domestic violence in Alice Springs and surrounding regions Police say the unit will 'reinforce' training …

NT Minister 'heartbroken' over lack of national attention of alleged Indigenous domestic violence deaths
2 years, 8 months ago

NT Minister 'heartbroken' over lack of national attention of alleged Indigenous domestic violence deaths

ABC  

The Northern Territory's police minister says the deaths of a 30-year-old Indigenous woman and her infant child in an alleged domestic violence incident "should be all over the news" and she is "heartbroken that it's not." She said providing the whole picture was also important because it helped the public understand domestic violence deaths "are not one off acts of …

NT Police Minister labels deaths near Alice Springs a 'horrific' domestic violence incident
2 years, 8 months ago

NT Police Minister labels deaths near Alice Springs a 'horrific' domestic violence incident

ABC  

The Northern Territory Police Minister has called for needs-based domestic violence funding following the deaths of three people, including an infant, at an outstation near Alice Springs on Sunday. Key points: Police say they are treating the deaths as a domestic violence incident Police located a gun in the home where the bodies were found Police are yet to say …

NT coroner calls for more supervision of violent offenders in inquest of woman killed by her ex-partner
2 years, 9 months ago

NT coroner calls for more supervision of violent offenders in inquest of woman killed by her ex-partner

ABC  

The Northern Territory Coroner says police "did nothing to help" a woman who was fatally assaulted by her ex-partner, while he was on a suspended sentence for another crime. Key points: A coronial inquest has been probing the death of an Aboriginal woman three years ago The coroner has found a violent offender wasn't sufficiently supervised by Corrections Two police …

Police are still misjudging domestic violence and victims are suffering the consequences
2 years, 11 months ago

Police are still misjudging domestic violence and victims are suffering the consequences

ABC  

Lee*, who lives with her boyfriend in suburban Melbourne, reaches breaking point one day and finally calls the police. A major issue is that police attending domestic violence callouts frequently take an "incident based" approach, Ms Matthews said; they look for evidence of criminal offending without necessarily delving deeper into a couple's history of coercive control, a gendered pattern of …

NT police officer 'may have committed offences' in connection with partner's death, coroner finds
3 years, 4 months ago

NT police officer 'may have committed offences' in connection with partner's death, coroner finds

ABC  

The Northern Territory coroner has referred the death of a woman involved in an alleged abusive relationship with a serving police officer to prosecutors and the police commissioner, and criticised the handling of multiple reports of domestic violence in the years before her death. Key points: A serving NT Police officer has been referred to the Director of Public Prosecution …

NT coroner to examine police handling of reports of domestic violence allegedly committed by active officer
3 years, 5 months ago

NT coroner to examine police handling of reports of domestic violence allegedly committed by active officer

ABC  

A coronial inquest into the death of a former police officer last year has heard she may have been fatally hit in the head just days before her death. Key points: Former police officer HD died in March 2020 Seventeen reports of “domestic disturbances” were made to police prior to her death Her partner continues to work in the police …

Domestic violence prevention brings together Indigenous men and women in outback community
6 years, 8 months ago

Domestic violence prevention brings together Indigenous men and women in outback community

ABC  

"When you're dealing with segregation, oppression, high unemployment and low income, there are a lot of men who feel like they can't support their families. This is how Brendon Adams, a community leader in the far western New South Wales town of Wilcannia, explains the complex factors behind domestic violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Service manager of …

Domestic violence victim's niece urges people to speak up before another woman dies
8 years, 5 months ago

Domestic violence victim's niece urges people to speak up before another woman dies

ABC  

A young mother who lives in an Alice Springs town camp has urged residents to speak out against family violence and report incidents to police before another woman is killed by their partner. 'I either step up or I ring the police' She told 783 ABC Alice Springs her aunt's death spurred her to speak out against domestic violence and …

'Extreme amount' of domestic violence in Alice Springs overnight, four arrested
8 years, 5 months ago

'Extreme amount' of domestic violence in Alice Springs overnight, four arrested

ABC  

Four people have been arrested after police responded to an "extreme amount" of domestic violence incidents in Alice Springs overnight. "It certainly is a concern for us because of the large amount of alcohol that was related, just about 90 per cent of incidents that police attended alcohol was a factor in some way shape or form," Senior Sergeant Dan …

Northern Territory to establish separate domestic violence court
8 years, 5 months ago

Northern Territory to establish separate domestic violence court

ABC  

A specialist domestic violence court will be trialled in Alice Springs in light of harrowing findings from the Northern Territory coroner, the NT's Minister for Families has said. Following a report into the deaths of two Alice Springs women in abusive relationships, coroner Greg Cavanagh described domestic violence as "literally out of control" in some Northern Territory Aboriginal communities. Court …

75,000 domestic violence cases in three years in Northern Territory: Police Commissioner
8 years, 6 months ago

75,000 domestic violence cases in three years in Northern Territory: Police Commissioner

ABC  

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw has revealed the depth of the NT's domestic violence problem, saying officers have responded to 75,000 cases in the past three years, with 44 per cent of orders breached by offenders. Key points: One child victim of domestic violence each day in NT 44 per cent of domestic violence orders in NT breached Police …

Domestic violence out of control in NT Aboriginal communities says NT Coroner Greg Cavanagh
8 years, 6 months ago

Domestic violence out of control in NT Aboriginal communities says NT Coroner Greg Cavanagh

ABC  

Northern Territory Coroner Greg Cavanagh says the level of domestic violence in Aboriginal communities is out of control, and that policing and punishments are not providing an answer. Mr Cavanagh said the criminal justice system had failed to protect women from domestic violence. Domestic violence a contagion In handing down his findings Coroner Greg Cavanagh said domestic violence was "a …

Inquest calls for prime suspect in Alice Springs death to come forward
8 years, 7 months ago

Inquest calls for prime suspect in Alice Springs death to come forward

ABC  

The Northern Territory coroner has made a direct plea to the sister of the prime suspect in a stabbing death investigation to speak to her brother who has gone into hiding. On the second day of the inquest into the deaths of two Indigenous women in Alice Springs, Greg Cavanagh asked Justine Swan-Castine to help authorities make contact with her …

Queensland police review domestic violence rules after three deaths in four days
9 years, 6 months ago

Queensland police review domestic violence rules after three deaths in four days

ABC  

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart is looking at ways to better protect domestic violence victims after three deaths and one attempted murder in four days, allegedly at the hands of former partners and a parent. Two women were killed on the Gold Coast this week, a six-year-old girl was allegedly murdered by her father in Brisbane's north and a woman …

Domestic violence: Brutal murder spurs greater police and agencies' efforts to tackle SA cases
10 years, 9 months ago

Domestic violence: Brutal murder spurs greater police and agencies' efforts to tackle SA cases

ABC  

A brutal murder in front of hundreds of people has been a catalyst for greater supervision of domestic violence cases in South Australia. Police Deputy Commissioner Grant Stevens says such measures could have helped had they existed before Adelaide woman Zahra Abrahimzdeh was stabbed by her estranged husband in front of hundreds of horrified people. "We've comprehensively reviewed our systems …

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