More than 1800 men named on Women’s Safety Services SA watchlist of violent abusers
MORE than 1800 South Australian men are on a watchlist of the state’s most dangerous violent abusers, up from just 51 when the database started 2½ years ago.
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THE names of more than 1800 South Australian men are on a watchlist of the state’s most dangerous violent abusers.
The number has exploded from just 51 when the database was set up 2½ years ago — and women’s safety service workers have warned that it will continue to grow.
Of the 1835 abusive men now on the list, 577 have been reported by victims for multiple violent incidents and 404 have been reported for hurting multiple women or children.
Their actions have damaged the lives of more than 2400 victims.
The database is administered by Women’s Safety Services SA and is compiled from names supplied by victims who have presented at 18 domestic violence services across the state.
The men may not have been charged or convicted of violent offences but most are subject to intervention orders to keep them away from their victims.
Names on the list are not made public but service workers use it to monitor men who pose a serious and likely risk to future victims.
“We know that past behaviour is a strong predictor of future behaviour,” said WSSSA chief executive officer Maria Hagias.
“Sadly, the numbers are not surprising and the number of offenders and victims will continue to rise.”
Arman Abrahimzadeh, whose mother Zahra was killed by her estranged husband in 2010, said the watchlist was an important approach that put the responsibility for violence on the perpetrator — not the victim.
“A lot of these guys do what they do behind closed doors for a reason — no witnesses: ‘It’s her word against mine’,” he said.
“Until we can stop that cycle (of abuse) you’re not going to change their behaviour. If we don’t look at what they’re doing, that list of repeat offenders is going to just keep on growing.”
The latest figures, provided following requests by The Advertiser, come as the State Government considers trialling a wider public scheme which would allow a person to inquire about their partner’s criminal history if they feared they had been violent or abusive in the past.
It is modelled on a scheme in the United Kingdom which is credited with saving lives.
Known as Clare’s Law, it was introduced following the 2009 murder of Briton Clare Wood, who was oblivious to her partner’s history of abuse.
The State Government acknowledges there would be privacy concerns about such a scheme and has sought feedback on how it could best work in SA.
A discussion paper released mid last year asked who should be able to apply for information through the scheme, which government agency should be responsible for deciding whether to release information and whether a person should have a chance to appeal against the release of information about their past.
Third parties such as a parent or friend may also be allowed to make inquiries on behalf of a loved one.
The Government is expected to release its response to the public consultation in coming weeks.
Mr Abrahimzadeh supported a trial of a public disclosure scheme in SA, arguing it would act as a deterrent to abuse.
“Anyone who is about to commit a (violent) crime, they would stop and think about the consequences of that kind of public register,” he said.
The repeat offender watchlist operated by Women’s Safety Services was first promised in late 2012 but was not set up until early 2015.
The Government committed $40,000 to develop the database and $10,000 a year for ongoing data entry, searching, training and technical assistance.
It was recommended following a coronial inquest into the murder of Robyn Eileen Hayward in 2009 by her former partner, who had a history of assaults and abusive relationships.
Ms Hagias said the database helped service workers to inform women about the level of risk they may face by being involved with a certain man.
Bringing the information “into one central place” made it easier to track escalating behaviours.
The watchlist can record information about men or women of concern, but so far all entries have been men.
Service staff who operate the database alert police and other agencies when a serial offender is identified.
They can check if the name of an offender is listed, or add a new name, if they are concerned about the risk they pose.
They cannot tell a victim directly if their abuser is already in the system because of privacy laws, but counsellors do not let victims remain in dangerous situations, instead finding other ways to encourage them to leave an abusive relationship.
Police also cannot disclose names from the database.
For help, phone 1800 RESPECT or Women’s Safety Services SA on 1800 800 098.