Port Adelaide Football Club’s not-for-profit arm, Power Community Limited (PCL), is expanding its Power to End Violence Against Women (PTEVAW) and Empowered programs into the Northern Territory. 

The expansion is a collaboration between PCL and the Northern Territory Government, with the partnership set to deliver 56 educational workshops over the next 12 months within correctional facilities across Darwin and Alice Springs. 

The initiative comes as the country’s Top End continues to experience some of the highest rates of domestic, family, and sexual violence in Australia.  

The evidence-based programs will be delivered to young people aged 10 to 17 who are sentenced by the Local or Supreme Court and reside in youth justice facilities, including detention centres and supported bail accommodations across the region. 

Where appropriate, Elders, family members, local NT police officers, and other service providers will be involved to support the young person’s learning and development, ensuring a culturally informed and holistic approach. 

Designed to prevent gender-based violence and promote gender equality, both programs provide targeted education to male and female participants, aiming to break the cycle of violence, and foster safer, more respectful communities. 

PTEVAW, delivered using male player voices, equips young men with the tools to understand respectful relationships and gender equality, challenge harmful attitudes, and recognise behaviours that can contribute to gender-based violence. 

While Empowered, delivered using female player voices, supports young women to understand healthy relationships, build a strong sense of self, and recognise the structural impacts of gendered expectations and family violence. 

PCL’s Head of Programs Braedon Talbot said expanding into the Northern Territory is a vital step in reaching communities that continue to feel the profound impacts of gender-based violence. 

“We’re proud to expand Power Community Limited’s Power to End Violence Against Women program into the Northern Territory,” Mr Talbot said. 

“Using the club’s platform and the power of sport to help educate young people within correctional facilities is incredibly important, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to play a role in addressing the pressing issue of gender-based violence. 

“Our program works to engage men and equip them with the tools to understand what constitutes healthy and unhealthy relationships, with the aim of stopping violence before it starts. 

“Using our players’ voices and leveraging our brand is a proven method of engagement that inspires change. We’re proud to have been playing an active role in this space for a decade, while acknowledging there is still much more to be done. 

“I’d like to thank the NT Government for their support, and we’re excited to work in partnership to help play a role in driving change.” 

Acting Director of Youth Justice Programs Renae Scown said the session will make a positive impact. 

“The feedback has been really positive from participants, with one youth saying the sessions will help them make the right decisions and better choices,” Ms Scown said.  

This marks the first time the programs have been delivered in the Northern Territory, expanding PCL’s national footprint and strengthening the club’s decade-long commitment to preventing violence before it occurs. 

The expansion is backed by strong program outcomes, with recent evaluation data showing the following results for the PTEVAW program: 

- 91 per cent have a better understanding on the issue of violence against women  

- 91 per cent have a better understanding of the different forms of violence and abuse 

- 91 per cent can better recognise the difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship 

- 85 per cent feel more equipped to challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence 

- 81 per cent indicated their perceptions of attitudes to violence have changed  

- 88 per cent can better identify behaviours and attitudes that contribute to violence  

While participants in the Empowered program report similarly strong outcomes, including: 

- 97 per cent have a better understanding of violence against women. 

- 99 per cent better understand different types of violence and abuse. 

- 94 per cent can better recognise healthy vs unhealthy relationships. 

- 91 per cent better understand the impact of gendered expectations. 

- 84 per cent feel more equipped to challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours. 

- 93 per cent feel more confident making choices that support their wellbeing. 

- 94 per cent feel more confident supporting others experiencing unhealthy relationships. 

The first workshop has been delivered by the PCL team in early December, supported by AFL stars Shaun Burgoyne and Steven Motlop, with remaining to be delivered throughout 2026.