New laws targeting the perpetrators of domestic violence have come into effect, giving authorities stronger tools to tackle repeat and serious offenders.
From today, a new stand-alone criminal offence of strangulation will come into force as well as tougher penalties for repeated breaches of intervention orders.
“We know that strangulation is a precursor for domestic violence homicides and should not be tolerated in our communities,” Ms Chapman said.
“By creating a separate offence, courts will have greater discretion to treat this as a more serious offence.
“This new offence also allows Police to properly arrest domestic violence offenders who can be appropriately punished for their actions.”
Attorney-General Chapman said tougher penalties were also now in effect for people who repeatedly breached intervention orders.
“From today, anyone who breaches an intervention order repeatedly will face hefty fines or prison time,” Ms Chapman said.
“Under the new laws, people who have been convicted of a previous breach within the preceding five years will be liable to a penalty of up to four years in jail or fines of up to $20,000.
“This will send a clear message that family violence is not tolerated by our community, and people who continually defy these orders will face the consequences.
“As a Government we believe domestic violence is utterly unacceptable in any form, and these new laws will go one step further in protecting vulnerable people and will ensure those who do the wrong thing will face to full force of the law,” Ms Chapman said.
