The Northern Territory Government is celebrating the one‑year anniversary of the Circuit Breaker Program, a bold initiative that gives young people at risk the chance to reconnect with school, rebuild family relationships and make safer choices.
Launched in Alice Springs on 9 December 2024, the program now operates in Darwin, Katherine and Tennant Creek. The vision for the program was clear: to address the root causes of harm, encourage parental accountability, and break the cycle of unsafe behaviours.
At the launch, Minister for Children and Families, Robyn Cahill said the program would “equip families with the tools and support they need to make positive changes.”
One year on, the Minister says that vision has been realised.
“One year on, the Circuit Breaker Program is showing how early intervention can change the course of a young person’s life. Families are stronger, children are safer, and communities are more confident that the cycle of violence and unsafe behaviour can be prevented,” she said.
“Circuit Breaker tackles the root causes that put young people at risk including exposure to violence, trauma, school disengagement and family instability. By supporting families earlier, we are helping break the patterns that lead to harm and unsafe behaviour.
“The success of Circuit Breaker shows what is possible when a young person is given the tools and encouragement to thrive. When young people stay in school, stay connected to safe family and feel supported, communities are stronger and safer.”
In the past year, almost 400 young people and families have engaged with Circuit Breaker, more than 200 Family Responsibility Agreements have been established, and dozens of referrals to Safe Places have been made.
The Government says school attendance has improved, risky behaviours have reduced, and families are accessing services they previously could not reach.
Behind these numbers are powerful stories: a 16‑year‑old boy in Alice Springs whose attendance rose from 32% to 85% and who proudly began his first job mentored by an Elder, and a Darwin family whose children lifted their attendance from as low as 26% to over 70% with new routines and support, said Minister Cahill.
She said the results are being felt across the Territory. In Alice Springs, domestic violence incidents have fallen by 33% over the past year, while Territory‑wide, incidents are down by 1.4%.
“While the Northern Territory continues to face some of the highest rates of domestic and family violence in Australia, these reductions show that change is possible when government, frontline services and communities work together. Circuit Breaker is proving that violence is not inevitable, it can be prevented,” said the Minister.
“Backed by the CLP Government’s record $36 million per year investment in domestic, family and sexual violence services, Circuit Breaker is building safer futures where every family has the chance to thrive.”
