Courts Administration Authority data reveals abusers breach intervention orders about nine times a day

ABUSIVE men are breaching court orders meant to keep them away from their partners and children at least nine times a day across South Australia, new figures show.

• Court data shows violent abusers are repeatedly breaching orders meant to protect their victims
• No jail for man who punched partner holding baby

ABUSIVE men are breaching court orders meant to keep them away from their partners and children at least nine times a day across South Australia, new figures show.

The full extent of the problem is likely far worse, because many victims are too afraid to report incidents or do not believe authorities will act.

Other cases are abandoned because of a lack of evidence.

Figures released by the Courts Administration Authority, following requests from The Advertiser, show 1566 breaches of intervention orders were proven in court in the six months from July to December last year.

A breach could include harassing or stalking in person or by phone, damaging property, going to their home or workplace or assault.

The majority of people subject to an order are men and abusers as young as 17 have been charged with breaches.

1566 breaches of intervention orders were proven in the second half of last year.

The Advertiser yesterday revealed a shocking case in which a man who was already subject to an intervention order was charged for punching his partner in the face while she held their baby.

The order was imposed on Scott James Heritage after he bashed the same woman when she was pregnant.

However, Heritage will not serve time behind bars after a magistrate’s decision to issue a suspended sentence was upheld in a Supreme Court appeal initiated by SA Police.

The Crown Solicitor’s office is preparing a briefing for Attorney-General Vickie Chapman. Ms Chapman said she did not necessarily believe changes to the law were needed but would wait on any further appeal.

Police have faced criticism in the past from advocacy groups and the Coroner’s office for failing to act on reported breaches, leaving victims feeling it was not worth the stress of securing a court order that would not be enforced.

SA Police Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval told The Advertiser there were now more officers trained to manage domestic violence cases.

More police officers have been trained to deal with domestic violence cases.

 “Our people understand now that when they go to a domestic violence incident, you’ve got to hold the offender accountable for their actions,” he said.

Courts data show there were 4501 intervention orders issued between July and December last year. That is on track to surpass the total of 8963 orders issued last financial year. Data is not yet available for 2018.

The Courts Administration Authority had pledged to publish data about intervention orders online every three months.

However, a computer error meant the latest information available online was from the end of June, 2017. The figures were updated after queries from The Advertiser.

 

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call:

1800RESPECT 1800 737 732

SA Domestic Violence Crisis Line 1800 800 098

Lifeline 13 11 14

In an emergency 000