Personal domestic violence alarms coming to flood hit Northern NSW
A new hi-tech personal safety alarm will be rolled out in the Northern Rivers after domestic violence spiked in the wake of record flooding. See how the devices will work.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A new hi-tech personal safety alarm will be rolled out in the Northern Rivers after domestic violence spiked in the wake of record flooding.
The alarm devices, known as shields, were created by StandbyU Foundation which focuses on using connections to help prevent domestic violence.
Prevention of Family Violence Assistant Minister Justine Elliot said as the Northern Rivers approach the one-year flood anniversary there remain many challenges for the local community.
“When we’ve had natural disasters the rates of domestic violence increase and that’s why these shields are important,” Ms Elliot said.
The Richmond area has been given 25 shields and these will be distributed to families who need them most.
StandbyU Foundation CEO and founder Chris Boyle, said the shields allow people at risk of violence to connect with their support systems at the push of a button.
“When women and children call the police they have to pick up the phone and explain who they are, where they are and what’s happening. This often happens when danger has arrived. With this technology, we are doing all of those things ... and there’s no queue,” Mr Boyle said.
“On activation, the device mobilises family and friends, the people that would drop anything at any time to keep someone they love safe and protect them.”
“If nobody answers the call, it goes on a continuous loop until someone does.”
Mr Boyle said the shield is independent from bluetooth because the phone can be the first thing to go when a woman is trying to seek help when experiencing domestic violence.
The shield sends the location and a recording to the woman’s support network. When someone answers the call they are transferred to a conference room so the selected responders can listen to the recording and form a plan to keep the woman and themselves safe.
“That may be disrupting by knocking on the door, calling them or calling triple-0,” Mr Boyle said.
Ambyr Johnston from the Mullumbimby Neighbourhood Centre said the device will encourage women to reach out for help.
“It’s an easier step for a lot of women to chat to a friend or a family member than to call the police,” Ms Johnston said.
Mullumbimby will receive 10 of these devices to hand out to families.
Mr Boyle said other systems in place for those experiencing domestic violence make women hesitate to call for help.
“People don’t activate alarm devices to monitoring centres when there’s domestic violence because it’s a proxy for police and when police are called out, it’s often not a solution, it’s another problem,” Mr Boyle said.
“It’s a problem for women and kids, it’s trying to put out a fire with fuel, because police won’t stay in the reported house for long and then child protection services are out next and talking about the removal of children.”
Mr Boyle said the recordings on the shields is optional but they can be used for evidence if the woman has been harmed.
“In each state law there are exceptions to every rule about recording without permission. In NSW the recording of conversations can take place if the person is in danger and if it’s around a safety or a public interest issue,” he said.
The devices cost $1200 for the complete set-up and a yearly subscription which is being funded by Bendigo bank.
Another appeal after savage attack on elderly ex-police officer
A Casino woman has appealed a jail-term after she encouraged a group attack on a 76-year-old ex-cop, punched the man and smashed his phone in a Lismore street. Here’s the latest.
Fatally injured mum told ambo boyfriend attacked her
An inquest into the horrendous death of a northern NSW mother due to traumatic head injuries has heard she agreed when asked if her boyfriend “did this”. Possible criminal charges have now been flagged.