Building Safer Communities (Frequently Asked Questions) - Northern Territory Department of Justice

Department of Justice

I have some real concerns about crime in my area. Is there a way I can help to prevent it?

There are probably other people in your area who have the same concerns and are willing to get involved. At the neighbourhood level there are a number of local crime prevention committees you could contact through the Office of Crime Prevention (08 8999 6274). For example, Wagaman Residents’ Group, Borella Park Residents’ Group, Action Darwin City, Cox Finnis Crime Prevention Committee and Karama Crime Prevention Committee.

There are also Neighbourhood Watch Groups that could be looking at the same issues as you (08 89223604 or www.nhwnt.com.au).

Preventing crime often requires a regional approach which brings together the various different groups that, in partnership, can have an effective impact. You could contact your regional crime prevention council to see if your issues are being addressed, to share your views, or to join. There are councils in Central Australia, Barkly, Katherine, Palmerston, Darwin , Nhulunbuy and Groote Eylandt . The Office of Crime Prevention can help you connect to a local or regional group in your area (08 8999 6274).

I have an idea for a project that would make my community a safer place. What can I do to fund it?

The Office of Crime Prevention (telephone 08 8999 6274) can give you advice about your project idea. Grants are available through the NT Crime Prevention Grant Scheme, which opens on 15 August. Grants will be provided for worthwhile, innovative and creative crime prevention and community safety programs which address any or all of the key crime prevention themes identified in the Building Safer Communities strategy. A project officer can guide you in filling out an application. They can also direct you to other sources of funding or support.

We have a lighting problem in our laneway...what can we do?

There are a number of options you can pursue. The first is to contact your local Council as laneways are the responsibility of local government. If you have a personal safety or crime related issue, you may want to contact the local police. To seek advice on appropriate lighting, you should consider the option of carrying out a Safety and Security Audit of the laneway. Assistance for this can be provided by the local police, your Regional Crime Prevention Council, or the Office of Crime Prevention.

Why do youth offenders receive only light penalties for offences that they commit?

It may seem from press reports that youth offenders get given little or no punishment from the Court. However, it should be whilst taking the needs of protecting the community into account, the Court also has to consider rehabilitation options for young offenders. In particular those aged between 10 and 14 years old. Detention is to be a last option for young offenders once all other avenues for rehabilitation have been exhausted.

Sentences delivered by Courts reflect the defendant's culpability and also the seriousness of the charge(s) before the Court. Orders that the court can make can range from no conviction bonds, conviction and released under a supervision order of Correctional Services or a Community Work Order. Detention orders can be made should the Court consider that to be an appropriate penalty.

Magistrates are bound by normal tariffs and Supreme Court and High Court authorities.

Police govern a lot of penalties for juveniles through a Police Diversion Unit.

What is the point of getting involved assisting police to catch offenders when it would seem that the Court just lets them go again?

If there is no assistance from the public to enable police to catch offenders then the job of policing becomes even harder. By assisting police, victim's can have their say in Court and seek compensation for any damages that may have been caused to themselves or their property. Peace of mind may also be gained in the knowledge that the community is prepared to assist police in their investigations.

For each time the same offender is caught and brought before the Court, a harsher penalty will be imposed. Persistent offenders when arrested may not be eligible for Bail pending the final outcome of the court case. All assistance to identify offenders is valuable to Police.

Where can I find information on crime statistics for the Territory?

The Office of Crime Prevention publishes quarterly statistics on the levels of recorded crime in the NT, which is available on the internet at http://www.nt.gov.au/justice/ocp/graphpages/stats.shtml. Copies are also held by participating libraries.

Can I get crime statistics for Palmerston or Katherine?

The Office of Crime Prevention publishes recorded crime statistics each quarter for each of the major population centres of the NT; Darwin , Palmerston, Katherine, Nhulunbuy, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs . This information is available on the OCP Internet Site, or at participating libraries.

How do I make sense of the crime statistics published by the Office of Crime Prevention?

If you look at monthly or quarterly data you will see that the numbers can vary quite a lot from one period to the next. This is because the levels of recorded crime can vary from one period to the next due to the small number of people living in the Territory and its towns and cities.

Because of this variability in NT data the Office of Crime Prevention publishes charts on recorded crime. These charts present the underlying levels of recorded crime over time. So, by looking at a chart you can see if the average level of recorded crime is going up, down of staying the same. This smooths out the variability and lets you see the underlying level of crime.

Can I trust the crime statistics published by the OCP?

The Office of Crime Prevention (OCP) recorded crime statistics are produced from data supplied to it by the NT Police each quarter, so the OCP crime statistics are always based on the latest data available from the NT Police. The way the OCP generates the statistics from the Police data is checked by nationally recognised independent auditors.

Where can I get information on prisoner numbers?

The Office of Crime Prevention quarterly publication presents information on the daily average number of prisoners held in NT correctional centres. This information can be found at http://www.nt.gov.au/justice/ocp/graphpages/stats.shtml.

What proportion of NT prisoners are Aboriginal?

In the three months ending 30 September 2004, 78% of prisoners were Indigenous people. This information is updated ever three months and published in the NT Quarterly Crime and Justice Statistics, which can be found at http://www.nt.gov.au/justice/ocp/graphpages/stats.shtml.

Do you publish information of Juveniles sent to prison?

Juveniles are not sentenced to prison, but are detained in a specially designed centre in Darwin , known as the Don Dale Centre. In the three months ending 30 September 2004 there was and average of 13 juveniles in the Don Dale Centre each day. This information is updated ever three months and published in the NT Quarterly Crime and Justice Statistics, which can be found at http://www.nt.gov.au/justice/ocp/graphpages/stats.shtml.

Do drug dealers serve time in prison?

Chapter 5 of the NT Quarterly Crime and Justice Statistics publication contains details of the sentences handed down by the courts for drug offences, this information can be found at http://www.nt.gov.au/justice/ocp/graphpages/stats.shtml. In the financial year 2003-04 an actual term of imprisonment was served by some 23 commercial drug dealers.

Northern Territory Police

What do authorities do if there are groups of young people hanging around in public places or spaces?

If you notice anyone acting suspiciously or committing a crime, you should phone police - on 131 444 or 000 in the case of an emergency. In general, police conduct patrols of a range of public areas on an on-going basis, but community assistance is essentia l to ensure that appropriate responses can be made to situations that may be occurring or worrying trends that may be developing.

What should I do in the event that my home is broken into?

If you discover someone has gained entry to your home, or has tried to, phone police straight away on 131 444. Try not to touch any surfaces or disturb anything that intruders may have touched. Police will assess the situation by phone and, depending on information you supply, may be able to collect evidence from your home in the period following the break-in. At the very least, such reports help police to track trends that may be developing and be able to direct resources in a bid to keep areas safer. At best, the offender may be found and made to answer for the crime and your goods could be recovered.

How can I improve my own safety?

You should never take security or safety for granted. A few basic steps can improve your safety and security in your own home, including

lock the doors even when you are at home;
be aware of movements in your area and noting and reporting any suspicious activity;
lock away and keeping out of sight anything that thieves may find tempting;
ensure your external environment gives good vision to neighbours and doesn’t provide hiding spots for people who are not meant to be on your property.
ensure your home has smoke alarms installed and those smoke alarms are in good working order;

You can also visit Neighbourhood Watch NT for further information on safety in your home.

What can I do when we go on holidays to stop break-ins?

There are a range of things you can do to improve the security of your home while you’re away. Visit Neighbourhood Watch NT to find out what steps you can take in greater detail.

How can I be safer when I go out at night?

Ensure if you are going to be drinking that you have enough money for a taxi, plans to stay with a friend or you have a nominated “Sober Bob”.
Ask whoever drops you home to wait until you have unlocked your front door and are safely inside before leaving.
If drinking in licensed premises, don’t let someone you don’t know buy you a drink and ensure you watch your drink at all times.
Don’t walk along dark alleys or unpopulated areas alone
Keep all your personal belongings on you at all times - do not leave them on a table, near your feet or on the bar

What can I do about the drinking and fighting that happens at night in my local park/residential area?

You can phone police to report disturbances or fighting. The more information you are able to provide, the better, so see if you can obtain descriptions of those involved - what they look like, what they are wearing etc – but you should never put yourself in a position of potential danger.

What should I do if I hear what sounds like violent fighting between the couple next door?

Domestic violence should not be tolerated by anyone in the community. Violence does not have to include hitting another person – verbal attacks can also cause emotional injury to those involved, particularly children, so phone the police if you are concerned about a neighbour’s well-being.

If I see something that looks suspicious but it isn’t a crime, what should I do?

Phone the police. The worst that will happen is that police will record your details and the details of your report. At best, the information you provide may link with some further information police already have and help to solve a crime. It is through working with the community that the best results in building a safer community will be achieved.

Department of Health and Community Services

What laws are in place to address petrol sniffing?

The Government is in the process of introducing the Volatile Substance Abuse Prevention Bill, which aims to provide a comprehensive and systematic approach for prevention, early intervention and treatment for volatile substance abuse in the NT. Its main focus is on the health and safety of young people who are abusing volatile substances and is part of a $10 million package to reduce the incidences of death, brain damage and injury caused by volatile substance abuse. For more information, read the Frequently Asked Questions.

REPORTING CHILD ABUSE

Parenting can be a challenging yet rewarding role. Most parents are able to manage the challenges that parenting brings. However, some parents experience more difficulty raising their kids. Problems faced by families include substance abuse, family violence, stress, and lack of social or family supports which can make it more difficult to parent effectively.

In our role as friends, neighbours, relatives and workers we are likely to come into contact with children and young people. At some point of time you may have concerns for a child and have reason to believe they have suffered harm from abuse or neglect.

What is Child Abuse?

Child abuse is any act of omission or commission that endangers or harms a child’s physical or emotional health and development.

Family and Children’s Services (FACS) in the Department of Health and Community Services holds the legal mandate to respond to concerns of familial abuse, that is abuse that has occurred within a family context where a arent or family member has harmed a child. Police have the mandate to respond to concerns of extra-familial abuse, instances where a child has been harmed by a non-relative or stranger.

There are different types of abuse. Children may suffer from physical, emotional, sexual abuse and/or neglect. The legislation also makes provisions in relation to female genital mutilation.

What is Mandatory Reporting?

The Northern Territory is the only jurisdiction in Australia where all people are mandated reporters. This means that any person who believes that a child is being, or has been, abused or neglected is required by law to report their concerns.

Acting upon concerns that a child has been harmed isn’t an easy thing to do. We may doubt what we have seen or heard, or worry about what will happen to the child and family once a report is made. However, children rely upon the protection of adults around them. Whilst a notification may be initially confronting to a family, it is the means by which action can be taken to prevent a child from suffering further harm in the longer term. Choosing to make a notification is one way you can play role in protecting children from further risk of harm.

The following are some common questions that people often ask in relation to Mandatory Reporting.

I’m worried about a child, but I’m not certain whether they have actually suffered any harm. Am I still required to make a report?

The law does not require you to have proof that abuse or neglect has occurred, you need only report your concerns.

You are more than welcome to discuss your concerns with a FACS Intake Officer. You may discuss the concerns anonymously if you wish. The Intake workers will make a professional assessment as to whether your concerns constitute grounds for a report. In this instance, you will be strongly encouraged to provide the details of the child and family so that protective action can be taken.

What happens once I make a report?

FACS staff will make a professional assessment of the information provided. They will assess whether the information indicates that the child has suffered or is at risk of suffering harm. They will determine the best course of action to respond to the notification.

Not all reports will proceed to a child protection investigation. Some reports are screened out, primarily on the basis that there is insufficient information to suggest they the child has suffered or is at risk of suffering from maltreatment. In this instance, the family may be referred to an alternate support agency where appropriate.

Some reports result in a Child Protection Investigation. If so, workers from FACS will establish contact with the family and share the concerns raised in the notification. Discussion about what needs to happen to ensure the child’s safety and protection from further harm will also occur.

It is a requirement that FACS staff sight all children in the course of their contact with the family. Where it is age appropriate FACS workers will also talk to the child.

Can I make an anonymous report to FACS?

Yes you can. However, providing your details enables FACS officers to call back and clarify any information you provided in the report. Similarly, leaving your contact details enables us to advise you of the outcome of your notification if you wish to receive this feedback.

Are my personal details kept confidential when I make a report?

Yes. The legislation makes provision for reporters’ information to be kept confidential. It is your choice as to whether you inform the family of the notification yourself.

As a professional I’m bound by the rules of client confidentiality, but I know that I need to make a report. What should I do?

The Community Welfare Act 1983, provides legal protection against civil or criminal liability for people who make reports of child abuse in good faith. The Act also makes it clear that making a report does not breach any requirements of confidentiality or professional ethics.

How do I make a report?

Reports should be made to the nearest Family and Children's Services office. Your nearest office can be contacted by using the free phone number 1800 700 250.

Department of Community Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs

What is being done about the itinerant problem?

The long term problems associated with people camping and behaving in anti-social ways around shopping centres, parks and other public places in our regional centres has concerned the business community, residents, community organisations and Government for a number of years. The aim of the Community Harmony Strategy is to resolve itinerant issues by increasing services that assist people to build productive lifestyles in town or support people to return home.

There are a number of proactive and positive approaches working to reduce itinerant anti-social behaviour including crisis accommodation, health and rehabilitation services, day and night patrols and the promotion of cultural and social protocols by traditional elders. Regional Community Harmony groups have been established in each major centre to identify and prioritise local initiatives. For more information visit the Community Harmony website.

Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment

What is being done to improve security on buses?

The Department of Infrastructure, Planning & Environment has gradually installed closed circuit television (CCTV) monitoring systems on the Darwinbus fleet. By the end of January 2005, over 80% of the bus fleet will have CCTV fitted to them.

The bus interchanges at Palmerston and Casuarina are currently having the existing CCTV systems upgraded with additional cameras and recording capabilities. The upgrade is expected to be completed by early February 2005.

The Darwin (City) bus terminal has not previously had a CCTV monitoring system and is currently being fitted out with the latest CCTV technology to provide wide-ranging CCTV coverage of the area.

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Last Updated: 10/08/05