Showcasing electronic monitoring to combat family violence

A police representative from Germany is visiting Tasmania to see first-hand the Tasmanian Government’s world-leading electronic monitoring program of high-risk family violence perpetrators.

Minister for Women and Prevention of Family Violence, Jo Palmer, said everyone has a fundamental right to not only feel safe, but to be safe.

"Family violence is a complex issue that affects not only victims but also their families and the wider community," Minister Palmer said.

“The visit provides an excellent opportunity to exchange insights and strengthen our collective response to family violence, which continues to be a critical issue in Tasmania and across the world.

"We are proud of our electronic monitoring program, which has proven to be a game changer in keeping victims safe and preventing further violence.”

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis said the harm caused by family violence is particularly devastating.

"By working collaboratively with international partners, we are continuing to improve our response to family violence to ensure we are at the forefront of global best practice in protecting victim-survivors and preventing harm,” Minister Ellis said.

“Through our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we are committed to doing all we can to ensure that Tasmanians are free from all forms of family violence.

"The program is not an alternative to custody; it’s part of a front-end approach that applies monitoring conditions to family violence orders.

"This allows our Police to intervene early and ensure that victims are protected before a situation escalates."

Assistant Commissioner Rob Blackwood said Tasmania Police were committed to using innovative approaches to enhance victim safety and hold perpetrators accountable.

“This system allows for perpetrators to be monitored in real-time, ensuring swift police responses if breaches occur,” Assistant Commissioner Blackwood said.

“When perpetrators breach their conditions or come into proximity with the victim, alerts are triggered, enabling police to respond immediately.

“As of August 2024, 189 perpetrators have been monitored, with 114 victims opting to carry a personal safety device linked to the GPS tags worn by perpetrators.”

Members of the community are encouraged to report any concerns or breaches of family violence orders to Tasmania Police.

To report breaches or seek help, call police on 131 444 or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.