An Aboriginal-led domestic violence support service is urging the federal government and the Northern Land Council (NLC) to address significant delays in establishing a women’s shelter in remote Northern Territory. The Galiwin’ku Women’s Space (GWS), which has operated in the nearby community of Gapuwiyak since 2022, seeks to convert a vacant government office located at Lot 159 into crisis accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic violence.
In communications reviewed by the ABC, officials from the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) indicated that in 2023, they were “working closely” with the NLC to progress a sub-lease agreement for GWS to utilize Lot 159. Despite these assurances, the NIAA recently declined to confirm ongoing support for the proposed shelter, stating instead that the building would be repurposed to “deliver a range of Commonwealth government programs” until the lease expires in 2028. A spokesperson noted, “The ongoing usage of the lot after April 2028 is a matter for the traditional owners and Northern Land Council.”
The NIAA reported that personnel from the Australian Defence Force vacated the building in July 2023, following a short-term project to establish an art centre and storage facility in Gapuwiyak. Currently, GWS operates from a repurposed shipping container, which limits its capacity to support local women and children effectively.
GWS expressed its disappointment at the lack of commitment from the NIAA regarding the shelter. In a statement, the organization emphasized, “This is not simply about a building or a lease, it is about women and children—who are facing some of the most difficult times in their lives—having a place to go.” They called on the NIAA to act in accordance with its purpose of supporting community-driven solutions.
The NIAA has stated that the NLC, as the holder of the Arnhem Land Aboriginal Land Trust, has a legal obligation to consult with local traditional owners regarding any changes to the lease terms. However, GWS general manager Faith Makumbe revealed that they have not received any updates from the NLC regarding the consultation process. “We can’t even get anyone from NLC to call us back or email us back,” she said.
Community leaders are increasingly vocal about the necessity for a local women’s shelter. GWS founder and chair Bettina Danganbarr noted that residents face threats of violence on a daily basis and stressed the need for clarity on the shelter project. “As a Yolŋu person, I’ve seen a lot of barriers that are stopping us from moving forward, and we should be getting the support to help us move forward in our development,” she remarked.
The Yolŋu community of Gapuwiyak, home to approximately 800 people, is situated about 25 minutes by plane from Galiwin’ku. Galiwin’ku celebrated the opening of its first crisis shelter in 2022, a development that followed more than a decade of GWS working with victims of domestic, sexual, and family violence in the area. In the same year, GWS expanded its services to Gapuwiyak.
“They heard about us and how well we are running our service in Galiwin’ku, so the women reached out to us,” said Danganbarr. Funding for GWS is primarily sourced from private donations, which make up approximately 80 percent of its budget. Since 2024, GWS has not received any government assistance for its operations in Gapuwiyak.
From their limited office space, GWS team members Ruth Guyula and Tracey Simmonds provide vital respite, wellbeing, and case management services to about 10 percent of the local population, which includes individuals ranging from teenagers to elders. Guyula highlighted the importance of a local shelter, stating that many women experiencing violence from their partners hesitate to seek help if it requires leaving Gapuwiyak for shelters in Galiwin’ku or Nhulunbuy.
“The Yolŋu ladies are saying they want to have a shelter in Gapuwiyak because they don’t feel confident to leave their country, to leave their family,” Guyula explained. She noted that the large office space managed by the NIAA could be transformed into safe accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic violence with the necessary security enhancements.
Guyula further emphasized the pressing need for such facilities, stating, “In the past, [domestic violence] used to be hidden, but these days we’re hearing things, we can see things happening. It’s affecting our community, our land, the kids.” She underscored the importance of establishing a shelter in Gapuwiyak to support local women in crisis.
