A review of a program that electronically monitors serial family violence perpetrators has recommended there be increased support services for offenders.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies recently evaluated the program and recommended that electronic monitoring of offenders be continued and that the program be expanded to medium-risk offenders.
In its report, the institute said the program should be more consistent across the state's regions and that it should be evaluated over a longer period of time.
"The evaluation of Project Vigilance has demonstrated promising progress towards achieving the project's outcomes in the short term," it said.
"Regular feedback from a larger number of perpetrators and victims will enable a more robust analysis of outcomes over the long term."
From interviews with perpetrators, the institute found that some had realised the seriousness of their behaviour through new insight and had taken the opportunity to address the issue.
"While the interview data suggest some increased awareness of their behaviour, there are insufficient community programs available in Tasmania to provide timely support for men on electronic monitoring," it said.
"Many are fully subscribed or do not target the specific needs of perpetrators or are not provided in regional areas."
During the trial period for the electronic monitoring bracelets from 2019, there were 84 applications to court for the bracelets with just three of these applications refused.
An analysis of a sample of 25 offenders showed there had been 32 family violence reports received for 12 program participants after their electronic monitoring bracelets had been removed.
"In the previous 12 months these same offenders had generated 81 reports," the report said. "The most common type of violence committed post-trial was breach of an order."
What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor: