Early Risk Assessment Orders:

I would empower the police or trained DV specialists to apply for an order before any assault, where there is credible evidence of –

• Coercive control
• Stalking or monitoring threats
• Escalating verbal abuse
• Harmful patterns identified by neighbours, workplaces, teachers or GP’s

What the order could contain:

• Mandatory counselling or behavioural programs
• Alcohol /drug treatment
• Firearm removal
• Electronic monitoring (short term)
• Immediate removal of the perpetrator from the home (even if no physical injury yet)

Why this prevents violence:
It targets the escalation stage – the stage where police currently say “There’s nothing we can do.”

Compulsory Perpetrator Disruption Orders (PDOs):

These could be modelled on UK Stalking Protection Orders and NSW Coercive Control Reforms

A PDO could:

• Prohibit all contact
• Restrict access to certain areas
• Prevent monitoring, GPS tracking or coercive contact
• Require reporting to the police
• Require counselling or behavioural-change programs.

These orders would attach consequences to behaviour which now often precedes physical violence.

Mandatory Firearm Removal on Any Verified Threat:

NOT just after assault – after threats, intimidation or coercive control patterns.

This should be automatic, not discretionary.

Another strategy that should be adopted (a priority of the Royal Commission) is alcohol supply reform.

The Liquor Licensing Act can be strengthened in three areas:

• Restrict rapid-delivery alcohol
• Tighten late-night supply in high risk areas
• Allow DV risk factors to be considered in licensing applications.

This diminishes DV by reducing disinhibition and escalation, especially in first-time or situational violence.

Other areas where the Attorney General could (and should) consider are – Workplace Reporting and Safety-Keeping Obligations by amending WHS to require:

• DV safety protocols
• Safe disclosure processes
• Employer obligations to notify specialists (not police) when repeated risk patterns are identified
• Protections for employment if a worker must relocate for DV reasons

Work places are early-warning systems. We must use them.

Tenancy Law Reform:

Automatic Lease Breaking and Perpetrator Removal:

The perpetrator, not the victim, should be the one forced out. Legislation should provide for –

• Immediate lease variation to remove the perpetrator only
• Automatic bond retention by the victim
• Government guarantee for any rental arrears caused by the perpetrator
• Access to emergency priority housing lists
• Immediate protection from eviction while a tenant is fleeing violence. This prevents violence by removing the ‘stay or be homeless” trap.

Financial Abuse Prevention Provisions

Amend the Criminal Law Consolidation Act or create a standalone offence of economic coercion.

Criminalise:

• Sabotaging employment
• Depriving access to joint funds
• Coercive debt
• Monitoring or blocking access to money
• Forced financial independence.

Financial abuse is one of the biggest early indicators of DV.

Independent Oversight Body (Statutory Authority)

A legislated Domestic Violence Commissioner with powers to :

• Audit SA Police and Courts Administration
• Require statistics
• Report breaches or failures
• Demand corrective action
• Track compliance with the Royal Commission
• Publish public report cards

This is the essential missing element in the government’s proposed reforms. A system cannot fix itself. Independent oversight is the difference between promises and progress.