‘Radical’ plan to track accused stalkers

A bold plan for around-the-clock surveillance of accused stalkers is being touted in the wake of the brutal murder of Celeste Manno.

Accused stalkers could be fitted with electronic ankle bracelets to monitor their whereabouts.

GPS trackers could be used to monitor extreme stalkers under a bold law and order proposal sparked by the murder of Celeste Manno.

A review by the Victorian Law Reform Commission is also considering whether a specialist stalking unit should be created to enable police to risk assess cases to prevent future homicides and violence.

The brutal killing of Ms Manno, allegedly by her obsessed stalker in her bedroom last November sparked nationwide outrage and exposed critical problems with the justice system’s handling of stalking offences.

The commission was ordered by then Attorney-General Jill Hennessy to review Victoria’s stalking laws and intervention order system following revelations the justice system left Ms Manno unprotected.

Celeste Manno was allegedly brutally killed by her stalker while she was asleep in her bedroom.

The review, set out in a consultation paper published on Friday, will consider whether a risk assessment tool should be used by police to identify stalkers who pose serious threats of violence toward their victims.

It will also examine whether 24/7 electronic ankle bracelets should be used to monitor high-risk perpetrators.

VLRC Chairman Tony North QC told the Herald Sun the proposal was “radical” as it would be the first time in Victorian history that electronic monitoring was used on alleged offenders who have not been convicted of their crimes.

However he said urgent action was needed to protect the lives of women.

“The idea is for the stalker and victim to be electronically connected so an alarm goes off when the stalker goes near the victim,” Mr North said.

“It’s a far out proposition but the question is if there is an almost certain escalation on our hands and we don’t want that to end in homicide, are there things we can do.”

Mr North added: “It’s really troubling the impact stalking has on the lives of so many people. There is a clear need for action to be taken urgently”.

Stalking crimes have surged in Victoria in recent years, with 13,872 stalking offences recorded by Victoria Police in the past 12 months alone.

Cyberstalking has also become far more widespread, with stalkers routinely using social media and devices such as trackers and cameras to surveil and harass their victims.

Mr North said it’s estimated 80 per cent of stalking offences go unreported, which could relate to factors including a lack of community understanding that stalking is a crime.

“We think there are myths around stalking which dissuade people from reporting – like victims thinking it’s their fault, it will stop if they ignore it or that it is somehow romantic,” he said.

Victims, police, judges, legal experts and advocacy groups will be invited to consult on the stalking review before final recommendations are handed to the Victorian government for consideration next June.

The Victims of Crime Helpline 1800 819 817 provides support to victims of stalking.