Action against family violence could save more than one life

FAMILY violence has no boundaries. It doesn't discriminate against age, religion or cultural background.

It is a crime which has, for far too long, been swept under the carpet.

However, in recent years, the dedicated work on Victoria Police, the White Ribbon Foundation and welfare agencies - coupled with the intensive five-month It's Up To Us campaign by The Courier - has helped to bring this issue to the fore ... in Ballarat, at least.

Exceptional programs by the likes of WRISC and Child and Family Services in Ballarat are helping not only the victims of family violence, but also the perpetrators of these crimes to realise their actions are not acceptable.

Initiatives such as CAF's court-mandated Men's Behaviour Change Program are helping to lower the number of repeat family violence incidents.

Through this program, many men are turning their lives around for the better. Not all men, though, with recidivist offenders cause for grave concerns.

That is why a suggestion by Victoria's Police Association that perpetrators of family violence be electronically tagged may have merit, particularly if intervention orders have been served on perpetrators to keep them away from their victims.

Police Association secretary Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles said the union's plan includes restoring funding for the Victorian systemic review of family violence deaths, expanding the use of family violence safety notices and establishing multi-agency teams of experts to respond to family violence.

Those who breach intervention orders three times would wear electronic bracelets, under the proposal.

State Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews, who wants a Royal Commission to investigate the issue, also believes electronic monitoring should be considered.

Any course of action which could protect a family violence victim and possibly save a life is something needing strong consideration.

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