Courts Administration Authority figures show 24 intervention orders issued each day but eight breaches proven daily

MORE than 24 South Australians each day are seeking protection from violent abuse or serial harassment, latest figures show.

MORE than 24 South Australians are seeking protection from violent abuse or serial harassment every day, latest figures show.

Despite the culprits being placed under a court order, the court data shows there are at least eight intervention order breaches a day.

A breach violation can vary from texting or telephoning a person, showing up at a child’s school, a home intrusion or the physical assault of a former partner. Intervention orders commonly prohibit abusers from harassing, intimidating, stalking or assaulting a victim.

Courts Administration Authority data show 8937 intervention orders were issued by SA police and magistrates last financial year.

That is a rise from more than 16 a day in 2013-14.

While the number of orders issued has begun to plateau, breach figures continues to rise.

Last financial year there were 3057 breaches proven in court, or more than eight a day, up from more than four a day in 2013-14.

Experts says the full extent of the problem is likely far worse than court data shows, 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.

Centacare’s domestic violence services executive manager Kara Piltz said more victims felt confident to apply for protection orders as community attitudes shifted to condemn abuse.

Some worried that taking out an order may further aggravate a violent partner but Ms Piltz stressed that women’s services can help put safety plans in place. Ms Piltz said the reasons abusers disregarded the conditions of an order were “about gaining and maintaining power and control” over victims.

The Advertiser has previously reported that individuals have been caught breaching orders as many as 40 times.

The State Government has pledged to double the current maximum penalty for repeated breaches - three or more - to four years in jail or a $20,000 fine.

It is seeking public feedback before introducing legislation to Parliament later this year.

Ms Piltz hoped “a greater penalty is actually going to make them think twice about it”.

“It’s really important that women have confidence in this process,” she said.

Police have faced criticism in the past 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 has since established a Public Protection Branch to focus on specific crimes including domestic violence.

PAGE 20: opinion