Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner, Micaela Cronin has expressed her support for the Northern Territory Coroner’s findings of the Inquests into the deaths of Miss Yunupiŋu, Ngeygo Ragurrk, Kumarn Rubuntja and Kumanjayi Haywood.
Commisioner Micaela Cronin, along with Assistant Commisioner Jenna Roberts were in Alice Springs to witness handing down of the findings into the deaths of Miss Yunupiŋu, Ngeygo Ragurrk, Kumarn Rubuntja and Kumanjayi Haywood handed down by Coroner Elisabeth Armitage. The Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner will spend the first three days of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence in the NT, meeting with First Nation communities, front line providers and NT Government.
“The Coroner’s findings and 35 recommendations provide insightful direction in addressing gender-based violence in the NT. The deaths of the four women examined by the Inquest at the hands of violent partners is a national tragedy. The Coroner centered the voices of the families impacted by each of deaths. I thank the Coroner for the comprehensive work undertaken in a such a sensitive way over the past year.” Commissioner Cronin said.
“The Coroner has recommended increased and suistainable funding to assistance in the front line response to gender-based violence. The bipartisan commitment of $180M over five years is an excellent foundation, and will help ensure the NT Government can tackle the crisis of domestic and family violence.
The Commision has identified that focusing on working with men and boys needs to be prioritised. “I am encouraged to see the Coroner’s call for increased access to behaviour change programs for men, including men who are involved in the justice system.”
“The Coroner was very clear about the fundamentally critical need for a whole-of-government coordination mechanism, and the formation of a peak body for DFV services. As the Coroner said - we cannot rely solely on the criminal justice system to solve the challenges of DFV; what is needed is a fully funded, coordinated, and holistic response to family violence.
“I am confident that if implemented the recommendations of the Coroner will meaningfully
contribute to reducing the harm caused by gender-based violence, not just in the NT but
across Australia” Commissioner Cronin said.
