Ruth Guyula, a GWS case worker who is an Indigenous X member, is on a mission. In light of these shocking revelations, she is calling for an immediate response from the federal government and the NLC. Over the last two-and-a-half years, Guyula has relentlessly pursued these answers and worked to rally support for Gapuwiyak’s first women’s shelter. Unfortunately, she has been given zero reply to her probing. The much-needed co-located shelter would offer women and children experiencing domestic violence a safe haven in times of crisis.
With a dedicated service already established in Gapuwiyak since 2022, GWS is poised to expand the footprint of this impactful service. They’ve identified an unused municipal building—Lot 159—that would serve as an ideal temporary shelter. Sadly, despite their dedicated efforts, they have found it very difficult to rally support for this important initiative. As Guyula explains, local crisis accommodation is needed urgently.
“The Yolŋu ladies are saying they want to have a shelter in Gapuwiyak because they don’t feel confident to leave their country, to leave their family,” said Guyula. This message speaks to a broader concern. Women living with violence are deterred from seeking help as this would mean leaving their community for shelters in Galiwin’ku or Nhulunbuy.
Lack of Government Response
The continuing silence from both the federal government and the NLC has left Guyula and her team deeply frustrated. GWS has not received any other federal or government help since 2024. Instead, today, 80 percent of its funding depends on private donations. This new lack of financial support exacerbates their attempts to set up the highly-desired shelter.
“We can’t even get anyone from NLC to call us back or email us back,” expressed Faith Makumbe, a colleague of Guyula. This ongoing communication gap has fueled a growing mistrust in the federal government’s commitment to support more community-driven efforts. These initiatives are key to addressing domestic violence more holistically.
Through the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), Indigenous communities raised concerns over the proposed repurpose of Lot 159. Our apologies … While they refused to elaborate on concrete plans, they did reaffirm that the building will remain hosts to over twenty different Commonwealth government programs until its lease runs out in 2028. Furthermore, GWS has urged NIAA to act in line with its purpose by supporting community-driven solutions that are crucial for the welfare of vulnerable populations.
“This is not simply about a building or a lease, it is about women and children — who are facing some of the most difficult times in their lives — having a place to go.” – GWS
Community Support and Initiatives
The urgent need for a local shelter is voiced by GWS advocates. Local activist Bettina Danganbarr underscored the need for coordination between different local groups to best address the needs of their community. “As a Yolŋu person I’ve seen a lot of barriers that are stopping us from moving forward, and we should be getting the support to help us move forward in our development,” she stated.
Danganbarr’s dedication to her community’s wellbeing shines through in her urging need for collective action between groups. “Please walk with us, work with us, we’re working for our community,” she urged. Yet this collaborative spirit has proven vital to addressing the urgent issues and causes of domestic violence in Gapuwiyak.
Guyula, along with her team, are instrumental in creating safe spaces for women facing violence. “We actually help and support with nearly everything up here,” she noted. And by continuing with outreach and awareness, their work has brought domestic violence to the forefront of their community which made these efforts so critical. “In the past [domestic violence] used to be hidden, but these days we’re hearing things, we can see things happening,” Guyula observed.
The Urgency for Action
The need for immediate action is clear. Guyula wants to see a shelter set up in Gapuwiyak so the local women and children can have protection and care. “It’s affecting our community, our land, the kids,” she explained, highlighting the far-reaching impacts of domestic violence on families and future generations.
GWS’s experience with their pilot program in Galiwin’ku has already been invaluable for local women looking to seek advice. “They heard about us and how well we are running our service in Galiwin’ku, so the women reached out to us,” Danganbarr shared. Through this strong network of support, they recognize the need for easily accessible resources right in Gapuwiyak.
Even with continued challenges, Guyula’s commitment shines through as she fights for her community’s interests. “That’s why it’s very important for myself [and] my staff to have a shelter in Gapuwiyak,” she reiterated. The call for action is more than just constructing hard infrastructure. It represents the fight for justice and dignity for all victims of domestic violence.
