Youth Counsellor

MEDIA RELEASE 10 th July 2025 New Sexual Health and Relationships Program launched in Darwin and Katherine We are excited to announce that Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council (NTAHC) has established a new Sexual Health and Relationships Program, in partnership with the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), and headspace centres in Darwin, and Katherine. Funded until 30 June 2026, the program has been commissioned by Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NT PHN) with funding from the Australian Government’s Department of Health, Disability and Ageing Supporting Recovery pilot program. The program will trial a new model of care and support in response to the Northern Territories' disproportionally high rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and experiences of family, domestic and sexual violence (FDSV) in young people. NTAHC Executive Director, Genevieve Dally, said: “This is an exciting partner initiative that will address major gaps in sexual health and FDSV health services for young people and other marginalised communities in the Top End. “The co-design and co-development feature of the program means the model is led by young people and peers from other priority populations and will result in meaningful engagement that will have a real impact. “Wrap around health services that incorporate comprehensive sexual health education delivered where young people congregate is the key to improving wellbeing outcomes and this program has the capacity to deliver this though a responsive and innovate model of care.” NT PHN Acting Chief Executive Officer, Jessica Dooley, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this very important program with NTAHC, SARC and headspace. “Sexual health and respectful relationships are foundational to the overall wellbeing of individuals and communities. Through the commissioning of the program, NT PHN is supporting a culturally safe, inclusive and evidence-based approach that empowers Territorians aged 12-25 to make informed, healthy choices. This program reflects our ongoing commitment to improving primary healthcare equity across the Northern Territory by investing in education, early intervention and strong community partnerships.” Delivering free, confidential drop-in clinics at headspace centres in Darwin and Katherine, and the new NTAHC clinic space in the Darwin CBD, the clinics will be serviced by a team of nurses, counsellors, Aboriginal health practitioners and peer support workers providing young people aged 12-25 with access to high-quality support on relationship and sexual health needs, screening for FDSV and STI testing. These wrap-around clinics will ensure that those accessing services will receive non-judgmental care in a safe space. Clients will be supported through to appropriate referral pathways that meet their unique needs and help them in their ongoing healing and recovery journey. In addition to the drop-in clinics, the Sexual Health and Relationships Program will focus on building connections with schools, sports clubs and other places attended by young people and families to provide community education and early intervention support about healthy relationships and FDSV more broadly. Delivery of this program will be commencing soon in headspace Darwin and headspace Katherine while the NTAHC city clinic will commence program delivery later in the year. For media enquiries, interviews or further information about the program, please contact: Grayson Javins Program Coordinator, NTAHC 08 8944 7777 thespot@ntahc.org.au