US: getting tough with DV respondents
There is currently a bill before the New York Assembly and Senate proposing that respondents to domestic violence protection orders wear electronic tags, such as around their wrists or ankles.
The justification given is:
In 1999 the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
received 55,558 police reports of family offenses involving adult intimate partners. In one out of five of these cases the victim knew the
offender and the use of a weapon was involved.An adult female was identified as the victim in 84% of cases. In a
national study of more than 6,000 families, 50% of the men who frequently assaulted their wives also frequently abused their children.There are also major mental health issues, with victims often suffering
from major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.An act of domestic violence occurs every 15 seconds in the United
States, more frequent than any other crime.In light of this frightening statistic legislative action is necessary
to protect both women and children from such violence.
To see a summary of the bill, click here.
