Community-led Petition
Summary: Systemic Failure in Australia’s Response to Family Violence and the Case for Mandatory Electronic Monitoring
Domestic and family violence remains one of Australia’s most urgent human rights crises. More than 4.2 million adults have experienced partner violence, and one woman is killed every eight days by a current or former partner. reference ÄBS census data
Despite clear warning signs and repeated contact with police or courts, interventions frequently fail to prevent escalation. Victims, predominantly women and children—continue to live in fear, navigating systems that prioritise procedure over protection.
Underreporting remains a major barrier to safety. Many victim‑survivors avoid contacting authorities due to fear, coercion, or previous experiences of being dismissed. Even with this underreporting, more than half of all police‑recorded assaults are related to family violence, placing enormous strain on emergency and justice systems. Yet the burden of safety still falls on victims, who are often forced to leave their homes, change their routines, and prove their own victimhood, while perpetrators face inconsistent consequences.
A key reform proposed is the mandatory use of electronic monitoring—such as ankle bracelets—for individuals who repeatedly breach intervention orders or pose a known risk. This measure directly addresses the imbalance between victim vulnerability and perpetrator accountability. Electronic monitoring would restrict a perpetrator’s movements, provide verifiable evidence of their whereabouts, and alert authorities to proximity breaches. It would reduce pressure on police resources by automating monitoring and offer a practical alternative to incarceration at a time when prison capacity is a government concern. Most importantly, it would increase the safety and confidence of affected family members by keeping perpetrators away from their homes and communities.
Australia’s current system responds too late, fragments responsibility across agencies, and fails to act decisively on known risks. Meaningful reform must strengthen enforceable protections, ensure early intervention, improve coordination between police, courts, and services, and require trauma‑informed training for all frontline decision‑makers. Domestic and family violence is predictable and preventable; continued inaction perpetuates harm. A reformed system must place safety, dignity, and justice at its Centre.
“To the Legislative Assembly of Victoria,
Members of Laverton Community Integrated Services Inc., and residents of the state of Victoria,
draws the attention of the House
The constant disregard “users of violence” have on court imposed Intervention Violence Orders (IVO’s) made against them, and the debilitating impact their re-offending has on Affected Family Members and their children.
Their coercive and manipulative behaviour must be stopped. We must give the “victim” a chance to heal, not constantly look over their shoulder.
To live free and safe is a Human Right!
This petition therefor request that the Legislative Assembly of Victoria
Implement mandatory home detention, monitored with an ankle bracelet, for offenders that repeatedly “breach” Intervention Violence Orders (IVO’s).
To sign this petition you must:
- Be 16 years or older
- Sign the petition in person at Laverton Community Integrated Services Inc. (95 – 105 Railway Avenue, Laverton 3028)
- Have a Victorian Address