Electronic monitoring in the context of domestic and family violence
Following the Queensland Government’s response to Not Now, Not Ever, the report of the Queensland Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence (2015), the Department of Justice and Attorney-General (DJAG) commissioned ANROWS to carry out research on the effectiveness and best practice principles for electronic monitoring of domestic and family violence perpetrators. The purpose of the research was to inform the development of a trial program in Queensland. The project included an assessment of the appropriateness of electronic monitoring in specific criminal law contexts (i.e. bail, probation and parole).
The objectives of the project were to identify:
- whether electronic monitoring of perpetrators of domestic and family violence in the criminal justice system (i.e. bail, probation and parole) is effective in increasing victim safety
- the technology likely to be most effective (including cost effectiveness) in undertaking such monitoring
- the context (bail, probation and/or parole) most practical and effective for such monitoring
- measures that should be taken to mitigate risks that perpetrators may re-offend while being electronically monitored
- best practice features of an electronic monitoring trial/program targeting domestic and family violence perpetrators, including models underpinning trials and programs targeting these perpetrators in other jurisdictions.
The project was conducted in two phases: 1) a review of the literature to provide an overview of the use and effectiveness of various technologies in Australia and internationally; and 2) empirical research across three jurisdictions (Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia) drawing on the experiences of victim/survivors and perpetrators of DFV, Specialist DFV Service Providers, and police and correctional officers involved in the implementation of GPS monitoring of perpetrators of DFV.
Project Lead
Dr Heather Nancarrow, CEO, ANROWS
Research team
Ms Tanya Modini, Senior Research Officer, ANROWS
Dr Maria Koleth, Research Officer, ANROWS
Mr Grant Killen, Technical Consultant
Project Length
July-October 2018
Budget
$88,435