World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
NT police charge more than 140 youths with domestic violence offences
Northern Territory police charged more than 140 young people with domestic violence-related offences in six months, laying 233 charges between March and September.
Serious assault was the most common charge, followed by choking or strangulation and threats to kill.
Police figures do not identify the victims, who may include family members or intimate partners, and do not give their ages.
The figures come as services say more young women and girls are seeking help; one in eight KWILS clients is under 25.
The Katherine Women's Information and Legal Service says social media and technology can be used to threaten young women with the sharing of intimate images.
Four women have died allegedly at the hands of male partners in the NT this year, including two girls under 18 from remote communities.
The Territory has the country's highest recorded rate of domestic and family violence, while young people in remote areas face extra barriers to support because services may be limited and distances are large.
Domestic and family violence services are calling for specialised support for young people experiencing abuse.
Northern Territory Police charged more than 140 people under 18 with domestic violence-related offences over six months.
Police laid 233 such charges between March and September.
The most common charge was serious assault, followed by choking, strangulation or suffocation, and making threats to kill.
Domestic and family violence services are calling for specialised support for young people experiencing abuse.
The police data does not identify the victims or state their ages.
- Who
- Northern Territory Police charged more than 140 youths.
- What
- Police laid 233 domestic violence-related charges against people under 18.
- When
- Between March and September. The article was published on November 5, 2026.
- Where
- The Northern Territory.
- Why
- The article reports that services are calling for specialised support for young people experiencing abuse. Police did not state a reason for the offending.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Police laid 233 domestic violence-related charges against people under 18.
A 17-year-old girl was found dead on Elcho Island; police alleged she died from blunt force injuries.
A 16-year-old girl from Alpurrurulam died after attending the local health clinic following an alleged physical assault.
ABC Australia published its report on the charges and calls for specialised support.
- Charges
- 233 domestic violence-related charges
- People charged
- More than 140 youths
- Age
- Under 18
- Period
- March to September
- Most common charge
- Serious assault
- Victims
- Police data does not specify their identities or ages
What people are saying
Domestic violence doesn't have an age limit.
One in eight of our clients are under 25.
We're definitely seeing an increase in threats that young women are receiving to share intimate images or videos of them as a form of control.