Home Business Semiconductors and Electronics Western Australia introduces e...

Western Australia introduces electronic monitoring for high-risk domestic violence perpetrators

Semiconductors and Electronics

Business Honor
19 June, 2024

Western Australia introduces electronic monitoring for high-risk domestic violence offenders to improve safety and accountability.

The state government of Western Australia has launched new legislation to increase the safety of domestic violence victims by monitoring high-risk offenders using electronic monitoring devices. Family Violence Legislation Reform Bill 2024, presented in state parliament on Wednesday, will require the use of tracking devices for around 550 repeat and high-risk perpetrators every year.

As new measures come into law, offenders charged with family violence restraining orders would be monitored by the courts on the accusation and conviction of subsequent related offenses. These include declaration as serial offenders or early released parolees or even those placed on supervision orders. The law covers those on bail, parolees, or subject to post-sentence supervision.

The state government has vowed to tackle domestic violence issues, focusing on the monitoring of cases being more proactive. The electronic devices will ensure that perpetrators are tracked closely, enabling authorities to quickly respond to any breaches of orders. The devices are intended to provide added security for victims and serve as a deterrent for offenders, holding them accountable for their actions.

More significantly, the new laws allow immediate arrest without a warrant if the perpetrators breach the conditions set by the community corrections officers. Penalties include up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $36,000.

This bill comes amid a spate of murders across Perth, some of which had been linked to domestic violence; it was out of public call for stronger protections for victims of such crimes. Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton said: "Electronic monitoring is an essential tool, but it is not the only approach in addressing the scourge of family and domestic violence.".

These reforms are expected to cover the change to the Restraining Orders Act 1997 with the recognition of coercive control behaviors, further strengthening the Western Australian response to domestic violence and further protection of the vulnerable.