Violent spouses terrorize their families—children and spouses—with threats, intimidation, and physical violence. Few are apprehended, but those who are find themselves released back into the community where they seek out their families to offend again. Sixty percent of victims are repeatedly attacked, often with tragic consequences. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are increasingly being used to monitor an offender’s location and notify someone if the offender enters an exclusion zone. GPS monitoring of offenders is only effective as part of a larger coordinated system that takes many steps to ensure safety for victims and survivors. This tip sheet briefly highlights: how different GPS monitoring systems can work including active and passive systems; how agencies, partnerships, communities, and Office of Violence Against Women (US DOJ-OVW) grantees are or might use GPS monitoring of offenders; and, a few benefits, risks and considerations around safety planning, confidentiality, and informed consent.
Written by NNEDV’s Safety Net Project (2010).