Domestic violence workers welcome any initiative to curb incidents of the offence but want to see more focus on proactive prevention rather than the reactive nature offered by tracking devices.

While there are too few details yet on how the system would work, Nowra Domestic Violence Intervention Services co-ordinator Sue Davies was concerned the device would not stop offenders from reoffending.

“Look at an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO), it’s just a piece of paper and, yes, a law-abiding citizen or someone with a conscience will abide by it, but repeat-offenders are not discouraged by it. Add ice into the mix and they just don’t care,” she said.

“If they are putting these anklets on the offenders so they can be tracked, it means they can still get to the victim.

“By the time police get there for the breach of AVO that victim could be hurt again or dead.

“I’m not ruling it out as a bad idea but we need to know a lot more about it,” she said.

“If they are going to go that way it really needs to be actively monitored.”

She said for the victims who are at risk and don’t know where the offender is, it might help allay some fears. 

“These are great ideas but they’ve got to have the back-up and services in place to support the victims,” she said.

Co-ordinator of the Illawarra Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Sarah Marshall believes a mandatory tracker has the potential to make things worse for victims.

“It would likely have a negative impact for women who still live with their perpetrators, even after AVOs are in place.’’

Ms Marshall said the community often didn’t realise victims remained with the offender for various reasons such as lack of places to go.

“They could be there because there are no refuge beds available or they fear leaving will put them in danger of more violence,” she said.

“Often the violence occurs between non-romantic partners such as a mother and son or a grandchild.”

Ms Marshall said funding would be better spent on frontline staff rather than ankle monitors.

“We need more frontline staff for women to feel safe and secure, so that help will always be available.”