New South Wales has introduced electronic ankle bracelets for alleged perpetrators of severe domestic violence offences.
Starting on Oct. 11, offenders granted bail will have their movements monitored around the clock using GPS technology.
This significant change aims to protect victim-survivors by ensuring that law enforcement is immediately notified if an offender breaches geographic restrictions, such as entering areas where the victim lives or works.
Corrective Services NSW will manage the monitoring and alert the police if a violation occurs.
Deputy Premier Prue Car stated that the reforms strengthen the existing bail system.
“It’s harder now for alleged domestic violence offenders to get bail. If they do, these monitoring devices ensure corrective services will be able to keep an eye on their movements,” she told reporters on Oct. 11.
The reforms come in the wake of the alleged murder of Molly Ticehurst, who was killed by her ex-partner, Daniel Billings, earlier this year.
Billings had been granted bail just days before the incident, despite being charged with multiple domestic violence offences, including rape. The tragedy spurred the government into action, prompting a comprehensive review of bail conditions for domestic violence offenders.
In addition to the new monitoring system, the NSW government has also reversed the presumption of bail for those charged with serious domestic violence offences.
These include crimes such as sexual assault, kidnapping, coercive control, and strangulation, with offenders now required to provide reasons why they should be released from custody.
NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin praised the reforms, saying, “These changes will give victim-survivors greater peace of mind and support their safety planning while their cases proceed in court.”
Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong also added that the move will ensure that “we monitor serious domestic violence offenders on bail, 24-7, round the clock.”
Premier Chris Minns had launched a review into the state’s bail laws after the shocking circumstances of the Ticehurst case came to light.
The government’s reforms aim to close loopholes that have previously allowed alleged offenders to remain on bail, even when facing serious charges.
While the reforms have been broadly welcomed, some experts have expressed concern about the potential for the ankle bracelets to be viewed as punitive measures, even before a conviction has been secured. However, advocates argue that the safety of victims must take precedence.
