Alleged serious domestic violence offenders in NSW must now wear electronic monitoring devices (e.g. ankle bracelets).
The change came into effect on Friday 11 October and applies to alleged perpetrators granted bail from that day.
It’s part of a suite of bail reforms in the state aimed at making it harder for those accused of “serious” domestic violence to be granted bail.
Monitoring
Under a law passed in June, people in NSW accused of “serious” domestic violence offences face stronger bail regulations.
Accordingly, those accused of sexually assaulting, kidnapping, or strangling an intimate partner must prove why they should be granted bail.
Further, all bail decisions will be made by magistrates or judges.
Once bail is granted, Corrective Services NSW can track alleged domestic violence perpetrators with GPS electronic monitoring.
Corrective Services will then be notified if a person on bail goes to “restricted” locations — places where a person who needs protection usually goes. This includes schools, workplaces, homes, and suburbs.
The law applies to those granted bail from 11 October onwards.
Government comment
NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car said: “Monitoring alleged offenders is key to… curbing the unacceptable rate of domestic, family and sexual violence.
Domestic Violence Prevention Minister Jodie Harrison said the reform “prioritises victim-survivors’ safety”.
Additionally, State Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin said the reform is “vital” to protecting women, who are “disproportionately” affected by domestic violence.
Opposition
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the Coalition supported the reform, but that it was “only one part of the jigsaw puzzle”.
Speakman said addressing domestic and family violence “has to be a whole of Government approach.”
He also said: “We have to intervene early with perpetrators to change their behaviour… We’ve got to make sure that those fleeing domestic violence have somewhere safe to go to.”
1800 RESPECT
Call: 1800 737 732
Text: 0458 737 732
Video: 1800RESPECT.org.au