1 00:00:01,080 --> 00:00:03,640 Speaker 1: You want to know what's happening on the political landscape, 2 00:00:03,760 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: Katie wolf Hazard covered on three point sixty. 3 00:00:06,760 --> 00:00:10,000 Speaker 2: Everyone is listening Mix one oh four point nine. 4 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:12,479 Speaker 1: You're listening to Mix one ow four point nine. And 5 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 1: we know that we often speak to those who are 6 00:00:15,640 --> 00:00:19,400 Speaker 1: victims of crime and many sort of feelers are they're 7 00:00:19,400 --> 00:00:23,480 Speaker 1: forgotten in the whole discussion about crime around the Northern Territory. 8 00:00:23,480 --> 00:00:25,560 Speaker 1: But joining me on the line right now is actually 9 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 1: the CEO of Victims of Crime here in the Territory, 10 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:29,920 Speaker 1: Melinda Fleming. 11 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:31,840 Speaker 2: Good morning, Melinda, Good morning Katie. 12 00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:35,080 Speaker 1: Melinda. Can you tell me what exactly does Victims of 13 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:35,640 Speaker 1: Crime do? 14 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:39,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, Victims of Crime MANTI. First, I'll clarify that 15 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:42,159 Speaker 2: we're a community organization, so we're not for profit. We're 16 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:45,560 Speaker 2: often confused as being government. We do have a great 17 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:49,479 Speaker 2: funding partnership with the Northern Territory government, but we are 18 00:00:49,560 --> 00:00:52,120 Speaker 2: run by a voluntary board and incorporated, so we are 19 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 2: a community group as such, and what we really aim 20 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 2: to do is to assist people in communities that have 21 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 2: been affected by crime in range of ways. 22 00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:04,560 Speaker 1: And I know these different programs and different initiatives that 23 00:01:04,560 --> 00:01:07,639 Speaker 1: you've got for people who have become victims of crime, 24 00:01:07,720 --> 00:01:10,039 Speaker 1: aren't they there are? 25 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:13,960 Speaker 2: Certainly yes. We've got what we consider our emotional support arms, 26 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:18,360 Speaker 2: so we provide information, support, reassurance, we can advocate for people, 27 00:01:18,400 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 2: we can make longer term referrals for them if they 28 00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:23,760 Speaker 2: need additional assistance. They just try and get them back 29 00:01:23,760 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 2: on track in that crisis kind of window immediately after 30 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:28,680 Speaker 2: crime and help them get back on their feet and 31 00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:33,479 Speaker 2: back to daily life. We also offer some support through 32 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 2: property crime programs. Not that includes financial assistance. Unfortunately, our 33 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 2: bucket of money isn't limitless, but we do try and 34 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 2: reach as many people as we can with clean up 35 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:48,680 Speaker 2: and resecures after residential unlawful entries. We also help small businesses. 36 00:01:48,720 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 2: I heard Char on the phone before as well. It's always, 37 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:54,520 Speaker 2: you know, a small contribution, you know, to ease the 38 00:01:54,560 --> 00:01:58,840 Speaker 2: financial burden, but you know it's something that helps and 39 00:01:58,880 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 2: helps people get back on track. 40 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:03,640 Speaker 1: I would imagine sometimes people just do need somebody to 41 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:04,720 Speaker 1: talk to as well. 42 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:09,400 Speaker 2: They absolutely do. You know, crime can impact people in 43 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 2: such different ways and that all depends on you know, 44 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:15,960 Speaker 2: previous experiences of trauma in our lives and you know, 45 00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:18,679 Speaker 2: for one person, an unlawful entry where someone is into 46 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:21,240 Speaker 2: their home, which is you know, our sacred space, and 47 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:24,880 Speaker 2: we invite people in. You know, that can be incredibly 48 00:02:24,919 --> 00:02:27,960 Speaker 2: traumatic and can take you a while to recover. I've 49 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:29,720 Speaker 2: heard people say I had to take a month off work, 50 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:32,440 Speaker 2: I still can't sleep at night. Yet others will get 51 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:35,799 Speaker 2: up you know, you know, you know, be a bit 52 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:38,320 Speaker 2: cranky and angry about it and just defiably so and 53 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:41,320 Speaker 2: you know, get on with it. So it's different for 54 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 2: different people, and we try and be here for everyone, 55 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:45,000 Speaker 2: regardless of their circumstances. 56 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 1: Melinda, how many people have you helped in the last year? 57 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:58,280 Speaker 2: Oh gosh, wow, I've to took my head or probably 58 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:01,680 Speaker 2: a couple of thousand, two to three thousdn't in terms 59 00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 2: of yeah, yeah, definitely now that don't quote me on 60 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:07,119 Speaker 2: that nut number, but off the top of my head, yeah, 61 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:09,919 Speaker 2: I'm thinking that because we do provide a hell of 62 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:14,120 Speaker 2: information on a daily basis, and you know, as incidents 63 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:16,440 Speaker 2: happen and we get referrals from police, we call people 64 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:20,040 Speaker 2: every single day and then people call us as well. 65 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:22,720 Speaker 2: So we're quite a busy service, and you know, we're 66 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:24,600 Speaker 2: here for people that are affected, and so I want 67 00:03:24,639 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 2: to do all that we can and in the preventative 68 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:29,639 Speaker 2: space as well. So you know, we offer free home 69 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:33,799 Speaker 2: security assessments for people who are concerned about safety, being 70 00:03:33,840 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 2: safe at home and you know, try and give them 71 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 2: tips and tricks which might make a difference and prevent 72 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:40,720 Speaker 2: them from becoming a victim in the future. 73 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:44,600 Speaker 1: And Melinda, have you seen an increase over the last 74 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:48,280 Speaker 1: year or so or have things been fairly steady from 75 00:03:48,320 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 1: your perspective. 76 00:03:50,760 --> 00:03:53,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, Look, I think COVID, you know, obviously flowed things 77 00:03:53,120 --> 00:03:56,360 Speaker 2: down for us. We had a very large spike prior 78 00:03:56,400 --> 00:04:00,480 Speaker 2: to COVID, then things slowed down. They are very system 79 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:03,960 Speaker 2: at the moment, but particularly you know, it's evident in 80 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:06,880 Speaker 2: the southern region, in Alice Springs and in Tennant Creek. 81 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:09,120 Speaker 2: We have quite we have an office in Alice Springs 82 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:11,000 Speaker 2: when we travel to Tannant Creek, so we spend time 83 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:14,840 Speaker 2: there and there's definitely, you know, a demand there at 84 00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:15,200 Speaker 2: the moment. 85 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:18,440 Speaker 1: We're quite often here on the show about some of 86 00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:22,560 Speaker 1: our elderly territorians. Who are you know, who are being 87 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:26,760 Speaker 1: broken into or who are being assaulted? Do you think 88 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:29,800 Speaker 1: or you know, are you are you finding that you 89 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:34,000 Speaker 1: have quite a number of senior territorians seeking help at 90 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:36,080 Speaker 1: the moment or do you think that maybe they're just 91 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:38,040 Speaker 1: the stories that I'm hearing more about. 92 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:42,160 Speaker 2: No, we certainly do. Our seniors are you know, one 93 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:44,680 Speaker 2: of our vulnerable groups when we need to support them. 94 00:04:45,320 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 2: As a result of that, in the last year, we've 95 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 2: done some collaboration with Neighborhood Watch and we've developed a 96 00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:54,440 Speaker 2: senior personal safety workshops and we've been taking those across 97 00:04:54,440 --> 00:04:57,360 Speaker 2: the territory and they've been really well attended. We're about 98 00:04:57,360 --> 00:04:59,120 Speaker 2: to head to Tanant Creek to set a couple of 99 00:04:59,120 --> 00:05:02,120 Speaker 2: those up in a couple of month time. And you know, 100 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:04,120 Speaker 2: there is a need there. People want to feel safe 101 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:06,920 Speaker 2: and they need to feel confident, and I guess there's 102 00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:08,560 Speaker 2: a lot of that. A lot of it is about 103 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:11,720 Speaker 2: situational awareness as well, and just you know, you can 104 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:15,320 Speaker 2: keep yourself safe in a range of practical ways. It's 105 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:17,520 Speaker 2: just knowing how to do that and feeling confident enough 106 00:05:17,720 --> 00:05:18,960 Speaker 2: in your ability to do that. 107 00:05:19,160 --> 00:05:20,920 Speaker 1: We'd be really keen to have you back on when 108 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:24,000 Speaker 1: you do roll some of those programs out, Particularly for 109 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:25,960 Speaker 1: our seniors. I think if there's anything that we can 110 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:28,880 Speaker 1: do to try to help them to not be sort 111 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:30,960 Speaker 1: of targeted, then it would, you know, it would be 112 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:33,159 Speaker 1: a really good thing. I just find it so disturbing 113 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:36,080 Speaker 1: when you hear about some of our more senior territorians 114 00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:38,279 Speaker 1: who you know, have been victims of crime. 115 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:42,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, it is distressing and the stories aren't that aren't 116 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 2: nice to hear, and we do need to help them, 117 00:05:44,360 --> 00:05:48,200 Speaker 2: support these people to feel safe. Yeah about that. Happy 118 00:05:48,200 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 2: to talk further. 119 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:51,159 Speaker 1: Yeah, definitely. I know you are pressed for time today 120 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:53,359 Speaker 1: and we were running late, so I do apologize. I 121 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:55,600 Speaker 1: do want to just ask you quickly when it comes 122 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 1: to funding. You said earlier that you know you don't 123 00:05:58,320 --> 00:06:01,320 Speaker 1: have a huge bucket of money. I mean, have you 124 00:06:01,360 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 1: got enough to deliver the programs that you want to 125 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:06,600 Speaker 1: deliver around the territory. 126 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:11,400 Speaker 2: Look, every community organization will say there's never enough funding. 127 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:14,440 Speaker 2: I think that we have great funding relationships and that 128 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:19,279 Speaker 2: we are funded quite well for a community organization. Look, 129 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 2: it's hard to say at this point in time. I 130 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:25,080 Speaker 2: think we have fun to go around, but we don't 131 00:06:25,120 --> 00:06:28,040 Speaker 2: know if there's a spike. Sometimes, you know, the demand 132 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:29,920 Speaker 2: increases and then all of a sudden we find ourselves 133 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:32,760 Speaker 2: in a position of odia. You know that funding might 134 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:36,000 Speaker 2: not last. You know, last year we had to introduce, 135 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:39,479 Speaker 2: you know, some were to refine our eligibility criteria in 136 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:42,400 Speaker 2: order to make those funds last, and the government did 137 00:06:42,520 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 2: also give us some extra funds, so we were really 138 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:48,159 Speaker 2: fortunate to make ends meet that way. But at this 139 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 2: point in time, I'll say, yes, I think we're okay 140 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:55,520 Speaker 2: and we're able to deliver those extra workshops such as 141 00:06:55,520 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 2: the seniors personal safety in order to do a bit 142 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:01,760 Speaker 2: of that prevention work as well, which is really really important, Melinda. 143 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:04,480 Speaker 1: For anybody listening this morning who has been a victim 144 00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:06,440 Speaker 1: of crime, what would you say to them? 145 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:11,280 Speaker 2: Call us anytime where we have a twenty four hour 146 00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:14,280 Speaker 2: phone number one eight hundred and sixty seven two two, 147 00:07:14,360 --> 00:07:17,440 Speaker 2: four to two. Through the day, We've got staff in 148 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:22,360 Speaker 2: office in Darwin and in our springs, and overnight we've 149 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:25,600 Speaker 2: got a wonderful team of volunteers. You're on roster answering 150 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:29,000 Speaker 2: your calls, providing reassurance. They can call contractors in the 151 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:32,360 Speaker 2: middle of the night to assist if needed, and we'll 152 00:07:32,360 --> 00:07:34,240 Speaker 2: follow up with you the next day. So we are 153 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 2: here to help and we'll do whatever we can to 154 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:39,200 Speaker 2: help you recover and restore as quickly as possible. 155 00:07:39,520 --> 00:07:41,840 Speaker 1: Good on you. Guys, and thank you for the work 156 00:07:41,880 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 1: that you do. Like you pointed out right at the start, 157 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 1: you are a community organization, you're a not for profit 158 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 1: and the work that you do really is essential in 159 00:07:49,880 --> 00:07:54,840 Speaker 1: helping Territorians who've been victims of crime. Melinda Fleming, CEO 160 00:07:54,960 --> 00:07:57,240 Speaker 1: of Victims of Crime here in the Territory. We really 161 00:07:57,320 --> 00:07:58,560 Speaker 1: appreciate your time today. 162 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 2: Thanks very much, Katie, good to talk. 163 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:01,000 Speaker 1: Thank you