Warning bracelets for abuse perpetrators deployed in Outaouais
Tashi Farmilo
The deployment of warning bracelets (BAR) is set to take place in the Outaouais region of Quebec as part of a pilot project aimed at preventing perpetrators of sexual exploitation and domestic violence from approaching their victims. The Gatineau police (SPVG) has been preparing for the deployment for several months, observing how the deployment is proceeding in other regions of Quebec.
The SPVG has been in contact with the Ministère de la Sécurité publique to implement the pilot project in the Outaouais region. The tool is seen as a positive step by the SPVG to ensure the safety of victims of domestic violence, and to promote the rehabilitation of the accused. "The SPVG sees the deployment of the RABs in a positive light since it is an added tool to ensure the safety of victims of domestic violence. In addition, this tool can promote the rehabilitation of the subject of such a measure. It is also important to understand that the accused agrees to wear the bracelet, he or she is not being forced," said Andrée East, Public relations agent of the SPVG.
The anti-tampering bracelet is an electronic geolocation tool consisting of two parts that can be associated with each other. One part is an electronic bracelet attached to the ankle of the accused or convicted person, and the other is an app installed on the victim's smartphone or a loaner device that tracks their every move.
The bracelet can be imposed during provisional release, a sentence in the community, and a temporary absence or conditional release granted to a person serving a prison sentence of less than two years. If the wearer of the electronic bracelet violates a legal condition, such as approaching the victim or a place where they may be, like their home or workplace, an alert is automatically sent to a monitoring station, as per the Quebec government.
The Quebec government's implementation of the anti-reconciliation bracelet in the Outaouais region is part of a wider effort to combat sexual exploitation and domestic violence. By providing an additional tool for authorities to monitor and prevent perpetrators from approaching their victims, the government hopes to deter future crimes and provide greater protection and peace of mind for victims. Through this pilot project, the government aims to assess the effectiveness of this tool in preventing future crimes and protecting those most at risk in society.
Photo caption: Screenshot of the Minister of Public Security, Geneviève Guilbault, during a 2021 press conference on warning bracelets.
