Alleged serious domestic violence offenders who are granted bail in New South Wales will now be electronically monitored using GPS technology.
The new program, which will be enforced from today, is designed to increase protections for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.
It follows other changes in New South Wales this year that saw bail laws tightened for people charged with domestic violence offences.
“Domestic and family violence disproportionately affects women, so it’s vital for the NSW Government to continue implementing reforms like this to better protect at-risk women across the community,” said Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin.
“These changes will give victim-survivors of domestic and family violence greater peace of mind and support their safety planning while the matter is dealt with in the courts.”
The new electronic monitoring program in NSW will allow Corrective Services NSW to track alleged offenders against geographic bail conditions. Exclusion zones may include residential addresses, school and work locations, or suburbs and areas where people are in need of protection.
Officers will be notified immediately if an alleged offender enters an exclusion zone and can contact police to advise of the potential breach.
Deputy Premier Prue Car said monitoring alleged offenders was key to curbing unacceptable rates of domestic and family violence in NSW.
“It’s harder now for alleged domestic violence offenders to get bail, but if they do, these new monitoring devices ensure Corrective Services will be able to keep an eye on their movements,” Car said.
The move from the NSW government comes as data released in August revealed that almost one-third of homicides in NSW between 2000 and 2022 happened within a context of domestic violence. Almost two-thirds of women who were killed in a domestic violence context during this period were killed by either their ex-partner, or while undergoing a separation from their male partner.
“Electronic monitoring of people accused of serious domestic violence while they are out on bail prioritises victim-survivors’ safety and ensures alleged perpetrators abide by their bail conditions,” said Jodie Harrison, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
“This is one part of a coordinated, multi-pronged response to addressing domestic and family violence in our state that includes earlier intervention and primary prevention.
“The NSW Government is also working with the sector and victim-survivors as we continue to provide holistic, trauma-informed, wraparound support for victim-survivors who are escaping violence.”
The NSW government has also recently introduced a number of other measures to improve outcomes for women and children facing domestic violence, including introducing legislation to create Serious Domestic Abuse Prevention Orders. This will allow the court to impose any conditions considered appropriate to prevent a person’s involvement in domestic violence.
The legislation also included new offences covering repeated and intentional breaches of Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Feature Image: Domestic Violence Command Centre. Keana Naughton.