More than 140 NT youths charged with domestic violence crimes in six months
In the last three months, two teenage girls in the Northern Territory have allegedly been murdered by their older, male partners — support services say it's proof of a growing need among young DV victims.
Between March and September, Northern Territory Police charged more than 140 youths with domestic violence-related offences, according to figures obtained by the ABC. The most common charges were serious assault, choking, strangulation or suffocation, and making threats to kill. Hannah George, CEO of the Katherine Women's Information and Legal Service, noted that domestic violence has no age limit, and the statistics highlight the issue of abuse among young Territorians.
She mentioned an increase in non-physical abuse, such as threats to share intimate images or videos as a form of control. Four women have died allegedly at the hands of their male partners in the NT so far this year, with two of those deaths involving girls under 18. Community and family members have called for an end to the domestic violence crisis, with the NT's rates of domestic and family violence being the highest in the country.
The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory emphasized the need for safe and specialized support for young women, particularly those living in remote areas, as health clinics often provide the only means of assistance.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
