The next step in tougher bail laws for people charged with serious domestic violence offences has just begun.

From Friday 11 October any alleged serious domestic violence offender who is granted bail will be electronically monitored around the clock using GPS technology. 

The new program allows Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) to track alleged offenders against geographic bail conditions.

If an alleged offender enters an exclusion zone, such as residential addresses, school and work locations for people in need of protection, a notification to CSNSW will be triggered

Once they are aware of the breach, corrections officers will contact NSW Police. 

If there are concerns for a person in need of protection, the Corrections team can also alert them to a potential bail breach in real time, allowing potential victims to enact their safety plan.

Andrew Mensforth, Acting Superintendent for the Central North Police District, is currently based in Walgett and said while local police do not directly oversee people with electronic monitoring devices, they are quickly notified should someone breach their conditions.

“We are informed if there is a breach in regard to the monitoring and quickly respond to that,” he said. “There are several people out in the field that we look after already.”

“The monitoring has always been there, but the government has now given police extra powers that, if we arrest someone and think it’s necessary, we can request that this monitoring can go on.”

The Government has also introduced legislation to create Serious Domestic Abuse Prevention Orders. These new orders will allow the court to impose any conditions considered appropriate to prevent a person’s involvement in domestic abuse.  

It’s not a title that any region wants to have, but in recent years, the Far West and Orana Region is has had the highest rate of domestic violence related assaults of any geographic region in NSW.

It also has the highest number of domestic violence incidents occasioning grievous bodily harm.

In the 12 months to March 2020, Coonamble, Walgett, Broken Hill and Dubbo Regional council areas, in particular, ranked as four of the top five local government areas for highest rates of domestic violence related assault, with rates up to 7.5 times higher than the state average.

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said women, children, and others in danger deserve to live their lives in safety, free from the threat of domestic violence. 

 “This intense monitoring shows alleged domestic violence offenders how serious the government is about preventing domestic violence on all front,” Mr Chantivong said.

Jodie Harrison, who is Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault said the latest steps were part of a coordinated, multi-pronged response to addressing domestic and family violence in our state that includes earlier intervention and primary prevention.

 “Electronic monitoring of people accused of serious domestic violence while they are out on bail prioritises victim-survivors’ safety and ensures alleged perpetrators abide by their bail conditions," she said.  

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic, family or sexual violence, please call the toll-free number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for support on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit 1800respect.org.au