A state-issued electronic monitoring program offers safety and security for domestic violence victims with just one small box.
“It’s backed by a 24-hour call center; there’s never a time when someone is not monitoring for those alerts,” said Dylan Duppin, administrator of North Carolina’s Domestic Violence Electronic Monitoring Program.
The program enforces court-mandated no-contact orders with GPS tracking for defendants accused of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking during the pretrial release period.
Victims carry the box, and the defendant has an ankle monitor that allows the monitoring program call center to see where the defendant is in relation to the victim.
The defendant is given an exclusion zone—an area they must stay away from—with the monitor.
“It gives that peace of mind that if there isn’t an open alert, he’s not anywhere near me, and if he is anywhere near me, I’ll be made aware of it,” Duppin said.
“Other than just being cautious or afraid to go places, to know that you have a program that can go along with you makes life a little bit easier, where you can take a breath and not worry so much,” said Sarah F., a domestic violence survivor. “You know, always looking over your shoulder or being afraid to go places.”
Notifications from the call center about a defendant’s location can be lifesaving.
Duppin recalled one instance where they were able to alert a victim, who then left her home before the defendant arrived.
“The defendant had tried to force entry into the home. There was a smashed window, and there was evidence that he tried to kick the door in. There are plenty of success stories like that where we’re able to alert the victim,” Duppin said.
And while not all victims experience situations to that degree, the program still provides security in everyday life.
“I’m not as worried when I go out. The person does not live here in the county, which is good. But when I do travel to other places, I do take the device with me, because you never know where the other person may be. Every county should have it,” Sarah F. said.
This monitoring system, while offering protection, is also cost-efficient for judicial systems.
Pretrial detention costs $128 a day, while the electronic monitoring program costs about $11 a day.
At the Pitt County Courthouse, a vigil was also held today to honor and remember domestic violence victims who have lost their lives.
