Starting today, South Australia is rolling out a landmark domestic violence reforms, improving protection mechanisms for survivors.
Now, any defendant who breaches a domestic violence-related intervention order – through violence or threats – will be sentenced mandatory home detention and electronic monitoring.
This significant legislative leap ensures that offenders can only leave their residence for pre-defined purposes, such as employment. A real-time alert system is set to activate if any bail conditions are breached, increasing the level of supervision and immediate response.
Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, Katrine Hildyard says this comprehensive legislative, policy, program, and reform agenda will “help tackle the horrific scourge of DFSV and support survivors”.
“Sadly, periods of time when a perpetrator is on bail can be particularly scary for those experiencing DFSV. We are determined to support survivors in ways that empower them to safely go about their lives.”
Monitoring those on bail accused of serious DFSV offences stands as a fundamental step towards this objective, ensuring consistent preventative and response measures are firmly in place.
The Attorney-General, Kyam Maher, highlighted that this legislation is a mission-critical part of the state Government’s election promises.
“This Government is committed to tackling domestic and family violence at every level. This is a vital measure that can make a real difference in the lives of people who have experienced domestic and family violence,” he said.
Maher also said that introducing electronic monitoring alongside home detention conditions is aimed at significantly safeguarding victim-survivors when alleged perpetrators are released on bail.
Further complementing the domestic violence reforms, this government has integrated several other legislative changes aimed at strengthening support and protection for survivors.
They’ve introduced and passed new laws entitling employees to 15 days of paid domestic, family, and sexual violence (DFSV) leave under the state’s industrial relations system.
Also passed was legislation categorising the experience of domestic violence as a discrimination ground within the Equal Opportunity Act.
Additionally, there have been introductions to legislation aimed at enhancing laws connected to domestic violence strangulation and stalking.
More recent efforts saw a bill brought forward to criminalise coercive control, accompanied by financial initiatives and partner engagements intended to economically empower women encountering DFSV.
The state has also funded the creation of DFSV prevention and recovery hubs with an awareness campaign around coercive control rollout across the state.
There has been the roll out of an education program within local sporting clubs focused on DFSV prevention from the grassroots.
The state government has put into operation a Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, under the leadership of Commissioner Natasha Stott Despoja AO.
The newly implemented developments now allow survivors additional layers of security and resources, crucial for their safety and recovery.
These reforms and legislative advances mark a significant movement by the state Government towards dismantling the cycle of domestic, family, and sexual violence, and creating a safer environment for all.
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