User:Frew/Notes on Domestic Violence Policy

Measuring the problem

There are wildly varying statistics on domestic violence incidents, interpretation of statistics and implications for policies. Much of the debate in the lead up to the formation of the working group has been around reliability or otherwise of various sources. An example:

'One in Three' claim about male domestic violence victims is a myth

The implications for our policy is two-fold. We need to have flexibility built in to the final policy, so that under-utilised services are cut back and over-utilised services given more money; and we need to look at ways to collect and analyse better statistics.

- WHO Report into violence against women 2013

WHO report into domestic violence.

Report .PDF here

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Current proposal by government

A new proposal to use GPS tracking to monitor DV offenders has been announced by the government. I think it would be okay if it is applied only to people who have been convicted of violence or stalking offences. Such monitoring isn't acceptable as a standard tool for people who have received Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs).

Response to proposal by front line service providors in the Illawarra region:

Illawarra’s anti-domestic violence advocates say GPS ankle tags may not be the answer

Applicants for AVOs should be given a police panic button type device if they fear the accused is likely to engage in stalking despite being under an AVO. This along with other ideas to help deal with domestic violence are outlined in this article (apologies for posting a mammamia article, but the info is good).

There was also this article outlining a trial by the Victorian Police. It seems to work as well as an ankle bracelet with less severe privacy implications.

Academic research into similar technologies

PREVENTING REPEATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT ON MERSEYSIDE

Effective when victim is not living with the perpetrator. The report has other good ideas which could be worked into the broader policy set.

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Children on parent DV

This was aired on ABC 7:30 a few nights ago, it follows on from AndrewD's note on violence against children,

The 'hidden domestic violence' affecting thousands of Australian families