For our diverse community

Staying safe is important to every Territorian, no matter your background, beliefs or cultural experiences.

The Northern Territory has a very diverse community. We are lucky to have a thriving community with a mixture of:

• cultures
• ethnicities
• racial backgrounds
• political views and
• ideals.

With this diversity we get to experience great range of ethnic food, cultures and exposed to different views and ideals. While this can be one of our greatest strengths, some Territorians can feel unsafe because of culture or ethnicity.

Staying safe is important to every Territorian, no matter your background, beliefs or cultural experiences.

Not everyone has English as their first language. For our First Nations people sometimes it's not even their second or third language.

Creating a welcoming community

Not everyone has English as their first language. For our First Nations people, sometimes it's not even their second or third language.

We as a multicultural community it's important we all look out for each other, whether we come from another country, were born here or a part of a culture that spans 10,000's of years.

By welcoming people from all backgrounds, it creates a community with a culture that values and nurtures inclusion and respect.

In actively contributing to an inclusive community, you can create a place where everyone feels valued, respected, welcomed and most of all, safe.

Our multicultural community

Ensuring your personal safety in a community where you may be perceived as different requires:

• proactive measures like connecting with your neighbours
• building a support network through community engagement
• staying informed and prepared.

By taking a few proactive steps, you can enhance your sense of security and integrate more smoothly into your community.

Here are several strategies and considerations to help ensure safety:

• Understand your community, its demographics, the cultural norms and learning about its history and attitudes towards diversity.
• Build connections, with local groups, organisations or families in your neighbourhood.
• Participate in community events and foster positive interactions with your community members.
• Volunteering can build goodwill and establish you as an integral part of the community.
• Keep a list of emergency contacts, including local police, medical services, and trusted individuals, easily accessible.
• Maintain your connections with family and friends, even if they are not local.

For more information on the multicultural organisations or groups in the NT go to the NT Government website.

Our LGBTIQA+ community

Ensuring personal safety as an LGBTIQA+ person involves a combination of preparation and leveraging supportive networks.

By being aware, prepared, and connected, you can navigate many of the challenges that may arise.

Here are several strategies and resources to help navigate personal safety:

• understand your community, its demographics and cultural norms, the local attitudes towards LGBTIQA+ individuals
• identify and frequent establishments known to be LGBTIQA+ friendly
• build connections, with local groups, organisations or families in your neighbourhood
• volunteering can build goodwill and establish you as an integral part of the community
• maintain your connections with family and friends, even if they are not local.

For more information on transgender and gender diverse services in the NT go to the NT Government website.

For young LGTBIQA+ people

If you have a child or young person who has identified as LGBTIQA+ the NT Government has information on how to support your child and keeping them safe.

For older LGBTIQA+ people

If you are, or have a LGBTIQA+ family member, considering utilising aged care services, the Australian Governments my Aged Care website will be able to assist you with this transition.

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island community

As with all communities, when a person feels safe, they can live a better quality and healthier life and are more likely to engage in the community. Feeling safe and secure is important for the physical and mental wellbeing.

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's personal safety involves many factors:

• historical
• cultural
• social and
• economic.

To better support them, as a community we need to:

• be aware and understand the issues faced by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• learn and educate ourselves on their culture and cultural issues they face
• build relationships by valuing their thoughts, culture and actively listen
• show respect, kindness and empathy.

Find out more

Check out the links to government and non-government organisations for more information and and advice.