Cracking Down on Femicides: A New Strategy with Ankle Monitors in Osnabrück
Law enforcement leader advocates for implementation of ankle bracelets for surveillance. - Officer in charge advocates for use of ankle restraints in arrest procedures.
In a bold move to combat the growing issue of femicides, the new Police President of Osnabrück, Friedo de Vries, is advocating for the adoption of electronic ankle monitors in Lower Saxony. De Vries believes that these devices will serve as a vital tool to reduce violence against women, stating, "We need the ankle monitor as a new weapon in our arsenal against violence."
De Vries has made it clear that violence against women transcends all social classes and is particularly prominent within young demographics. He cites the so-called Spanish model as a prime example of ankle monitor efficacy. In this model, offenders wear an ankle monitor, while victims carry a GPS unit. If an offender approaches the victim, authorities are immediately notified. This approach has already been employed in Saxony and Hesse.
Lower Saxony’s Minister of the Interior, Daniela Behrens, has announced plans to introduce electronic ankle monitors as part of a reform of the Lower Saxony Police and Public Order Act (NPOG). As the President of the state criminal police office, De Vries took office on June 1st and brings his extensive experience to this pressing issue.
Three instances of violence in Lower Saxony within a week
Femicides, defined as the killing of women due to their gender, have been on the rise. Over the past month, three women have been brutally murdered in Lower Saxony - one set on fire, another attacked with a car, and another stabbed on a parking lot. In each case, the partners or ex-partners were detained and charged with murder.
While data on the effectiveness of ankle monitors in preventing femicides is scarce, global research suggests that these systems can potentially reduce violent acts and recidivism rates. Electronic monitoring technologies, such as those provided by Supercom, have demonstrated success in reducing recidivism rates from 75% to 35% in some regions[2]. Furthermore, studies as well as local implementations in countries like Spain have shown that ankle monitors can significantly reduce violent acts[2].
The success of ankle monitors in Lower Saxony would depend on their integration with existing legal and support systems. Given the systemic issues that can undermine the impact of technological solutions, such as a lack of comprehensive support services for victims, it's crucial that these monitors are used as part of a comprehensive strategy to protect women[1]. In order to be effective, strong coordination between law enforcement, social services, and technology providers would be required.
References:
- Domestic Violence and Technological Solutions: Challenges and Considerations (2020), [Accessed on 08/16/2023], https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0,5&q=Domestic+Violence+and+Technological+Solutions:+Challenges+and+Considerations&btnG=
- Supercom’s Electronic Monitoring Systems: Enhancing Public Safety (2020), [Accessed on 08/16/2023], https://www.supercom.com/pdf/solutions/case-studies/supercom%20solutions%20electionronic%20monitoring%20systems%20enhancing%20public%20safety.pdf
- A comprehensive community policy, including the integration of electronic ankle monitors, is essential to addressing the rising issue of femicides in Lower Saxony, as suggested by the study "Domestic Violence and Technological Solutions: Challenges and Considerations."
- In line with the Spanish model, the employment of ankle monitors in Lower Saxony is expected to serve as a key component of the reformed Lower Saxony Police and Public Order Act (NPOG), aiming to reduce violence against women and help authorities respond promptly to potential threats.
- Concurrently with the adoption of ankle monitor technology, a strong employment policy to support victims of domestic violence is required to ensure their safety and well-being in partnership with social services and technology providers, as advocated by current research and practice in the field of women's health and general news.
