Central Australian Women's Legal Service

Do you know your mandatory reporting obligations in the Northern Territory?

Mandatory reporting is a legal obligation, but effective responses go beyond simply making a report.

When responding to concerns about child safety or domestic and family violence, it is important to consider how to support a person's safety, wellbeing and access to appropriate services alongside any reporting requirements.

Our Identifying & Responding to DFSV in Central Australia – Fundamentals training explores:
✔️ Mandatory reporting obligations
✔️ Domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV)
✔️ Trauma-informed responses
✔️ Responding to disclosures
✔️ Safety planning
✔️ Referral pathways and local support services

Designed for frontline workers, service providers and community members, this training provides practical information to help participants respond safely, confidently and appropriately.

🎟️ Learn more here:
https://loom.ly/Ldoz5is

Elder abuse may look different than you think.

It is not always physical violence. It can also include controlling someone’s money, isolating them from family or community, humiliation, threats, neglect, or making decisions on their behalf without consent.

Many forms of elder abuse happen quietly and within relationships where there is trust.

Recognising the signs is an important step in keeping older people safe, connected and supported.

If you are worried about an older person or need support, you can contact:
📲 1800 ELDERHelp 1800 353 374

CAWLS offers a free and confidential legal service to women in Central Australia and the Barkly.
Freecall: 1800 684 055

Heading to the AFL Indigenous Round at Traeger Park on Sunday 31 May?

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Indigenous and Remote Operations team will be there alongside Central Australia Aboriginal Congress, Remote Community Connectors hosting an information stall.

📍 Traeger Park, Alice Springs
📅 Sunday 31 May 2026 (12-6pm)

For more information:
📞 1800 035 544

Elder abuse can happen in many different forms, including financial abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, physical abuse, and controlling behaviour.

It often happens within relationships where there is trust, and can be carried out by family members, carers, partners, friends, neighbours or service providers.

Older people deserve to live with dignity, safety and respect.

If you are worried about an older person or need support, you can contact:
📲 1800 ELDERHelp 1800 353 374

CAWLS offers a free and confidential legal service to all women in Central Australia and the Barkly.
📲 Central Australian Women’s Legal Service 1800 684 055

Today marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June). A time for all Australians to reflect on our shared histories, cultures and relationships, and to consider how each of us can contribute to reconciliation in meaningful ways.

This year’s theme, All In, reminds us that reconciliation is everyone’s responsibility and that real change comes through listening, learning, respect and action… every day, not only this week.

At CAWLS, we are privileged to walk alongside Aboriginal women, children, families and communities across Central Australia & the Barkly. National Reconciliation Week is an important opportunity to reflect on the strength, resilience and leadership of First Nations peoples, and to continue building culturally safe, respectful and accountable ways of working together.

You can learn more about National Reconciliation Week here: https://loom.ly/8DX8O0E

If you only read one thing today about violence against women in Australia, make it this.

The Australian Government Department of Social Services has released a consultation paper as part of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032.

The evidence shows progress has been made, but it also makes clear that violence against women and children remains a serious national issue.

This post breaks down:
• where progress has been made
• where harms persist or are growing
• where outcomes are not equal
• and what happens next

At CAWLS, we see these issues every day through our work supporting clients across Central Australia and the Barkly, including in very remote communities. A large proportion of our clients identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The consultation paper highlights that people in rural and remote communities continue to face greater barriers to safety and support. It also acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women continue to experience violence at disproportionately high rates.

This is why accessible, culturally safe, community-based services matter.

Learn more or have your say:
engage.dss.gov.au/second-action-plan

Recently, the CAWLS Education Team delivered training on identifying and managing vicarious trauma and building vicarious resilience with the NT Health Flynn Drive Child & Family Health Team and the Public and Primary Health Outreach Team through the NT PHN Local Link Project.

Together, we explored:

🌸 Vicarious trauma, burnout and compassion fatigue
🌸 The impacts of cumulative trauma exposure
🌸 Recognising signs of vicarious trauma
🌸 Building sustainable and trauma informed practice

We also reflected on the importance of workplace culture, supervision, peer support and psychologically safe environments in sustaining frontline workforces.

Thank you to both teams for your engagement and ongoing commitment to trauma informed care across Central Australia.

Northern Territory PHN

Today we acknowledge National Sorry Day and honour Stolen Generations Survivors across Australia.

We recognise the ongoing impacts of forced removal on Aboriginal families, communities and culture, and the strength of those who continue to carry and share these stories.

At CAWLS, we stand alongside Aboriginal women, families and communities in the ongoing journey of healing, truth-telling and connection.

Werte,

Today, 26 May, we acknowledge National Sorry Day — a day of remembrance, reflection, healing, and truth-telling for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia.

We honour the Stolen Generations, recognising the pain and trauma caused by the forced removal of children from their families, communities, cultures, and Countries, while also acknowledging the strength, resilience, and survival of Stolen Generations Survivors.

National Sorry Day reminds us of the importance of reconciliation, cultural safety, compassion, and walking together with respect and understanding.

Congress also recognises the important work of our Link-Up Service in supporting healing journeys and reconnecting Stolen Generations members with family and community.

Reflect. Listen. Learn. Remember.

⚠️ Important Information About the National Emergency Alert Test ⚠️

On Monday 27 July, mobile devices across Australia may receive a test emergency alert as part of the launch of the new national warning system, AusAlert.

The test alert may:
📱 Vibrate strongly
🔊 Play a loud siren-like sound for around 10 seconds
🚨 Override silent mode on some devices

For many people, particularly those experiencing violence, coercive control, trauma, or living in unsafe environments, unexpected alerts like this can be distressing or place them at risk.

If you, your children, or someone you support may be affected, consider:
• Turning devices off or switching to aeroplane mode before the scheduled test time
• Leaving devices off for at least one hour
• Talking through a safety plan in advance if needed

We also encourage workers, carers and support people to familiarise themselves with how these alerts function, especially when supporting people in high-risk or sensitive situations.

Please share this information with anyone who may need it.