Permanent intervention orders under review in family violence reform but ankle bracelets ruled out

Families of two murdered domestic violence victims have hit out at the Allan government after it ruled out ankle bracelets for dangerous offenders.

Loved ones of two murdered domestic violence victims say they’re “disgusted” that the Allan government has ruled out ankle bracelets for dangerous offenders.

The state government unveiled its long-awaited family violence package on Thursday, enabling victims to take out longer intervention orders against their abusive partners, while also boosting the powers of Victoria Police to slap offenders with longer family violence safety notices.

But a decision to not introduce a tracking scheme of high-risk perpetrators has been slammed by family and friends impacted by the domestic violence scourge.

Lija Matthews, the best friend of murdered Phillip Island mum Samantha Fraser, said she was “shocked” and “disgusted” the government had ruled out ankle bracelets for violent offenders, despite proceeding with the tracking tool on young criminals.

Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes says she is open to permanent intervention orders. Picture: Diego Fedele

“With (family violence) being a national crisis, why wouldn’t they do everything possible to help when there’s just not enough help out there? People are crying out for help, this is a massive problem, and this could have helped a lot of people,” she said.

Murder victim Celeste Manno’s devastated mother Aggie Di Mauro said the reforms, while well intentioned, were another example of authorities ignoring victims.

“I’m hardly surprised, but I am disgusted,” she said.

“And I’m angry.”

Ms Mauro, whose daughter was stabbed to death by former colleague turned stalker Luay Sako in 2020, said Victorian women should be protected by more than just a “worthless bit of paper”.

“If my daughter’s killer was wearing an ankle bracelet it might have alerted us, or police, to the danger,” she said.

“It might have given us the opportunity to get the hell out of the house that night, before he smashed into her bedroom and murdered her.

Reforms will target the influence of controversial social media figures, such as Andrew Tate

“And it would have been more useful than the worthless bit of paper intervention orders are printed on.”

Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said the government had considered an ankle monitoring system but received advice from the Victorian Law Reform Commission who didn’t recommend such a measure, citing the “disadvantages outweigh the benefits”.

Ms Symes said ankle bracelets could provide a false sense of security for victims.

“We do not want women relying on a piece of technology that has been demonstrated is not fit for purpose for these situations,” she said.

Saasha Brimble, whose daughter Jessica Geddes, 27, was found dead in her Endeavour Hills home in 2020 with “extensive blunt force injuries”, said relying on permanent intervention orders, however, would be “worthless”.

This week, the young mother’s boyfriend Robert Rickerby pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the eve of his murder trial.

“I don’t think the safety notice was worth the paper it was written on,” Ms Brimble said.

“Police gave (Rickerby) that but he still took my daughter’s life. They don’t mean anything.”

Ms Geddes, who believed ankle bracelets weren’t the solution, called for an individual response based on each offender.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan will introduce a new minimum length for family violence intervention orders. Picture: Diego Fedele

Most intervention orders currently over last between six to 12 months, and can be traumatising for victims who are sometimes forced to face their attacker in court by seeking to extend the order.

Ms Matthews said ankle bracelets would have been “an extra layer” of protection for victims.

She launched charity Change for Sam to arm women with duress alarms once they’ve escape violent relationships after mum-of-three Ms Fraser was murdered in her Cowes home by her ex-husband Adrian Basham in 2018, after years of violence and torment.

“I just can’t see how it could be a disadvantage,” she said.

The reforms, to be consulted on over the next few months before legislation is introduced to parliament next year, could offer victims the chance to take out permanent intervention orders.

Ms Symes said she is open to letting the courts impose permanent orders but noted more consultation is needed.

“We want to put a bottom floor on it ... What we’re hearing now is that for many matters, six to 12 months is just not long and people want protection,” she said.

In other changes, people seeking to obtain a Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate will undergo mandatory training in a bid to identify sexual assault and harassment in Victorian venues.

And the views of toxic male influencers will also be countered in schools.

Premier Jacinta Allan said the reforms aim to prevent violence directed at women before it begins.

“When women are still dying at the hands of men — we must do more,” she said.

“From prevention to response to justice, these reforms will target family violence at every stage.”