Regulating private sector security provision for victims of domestic violence

Abstract

Private companies are increasingly involved with the security concerns of victims of domestic violence. This involvement manifests in a number of forms including the proliferation of technology and private security companies that seek a market among domestic violence victims and services. In this article, data gathered in Australia are used to show that private sector involvement with victims of domestic violence can be a useful addition to the landscape of providers who respond to the needs of an under-protected population, but that steps must be taken to ensure the ethical and competent performance of such commercial actors and their technological solutions. Therefore, a form of ‘civil regulation’ is suggested that aims to align private security with the broader public interest.

The uncertain commodity of ‘security’: Are private security companies ‘value for money’ for domestic violence services?

“…Private security companies are increasingly providing services to victims of domestic violence, with Australia being the strongest 'early adopter' of this form of security provision (see Harkin, 2019;Harkin, 2020;Harkin & Fitz-Gibbon, 2017). In particular, Australia is uniquely experimenting with the idea of sending private security workers into the homes of victims of domestic violence for the purposes of conducting 'security audits' and providing 'security upgrades'.…”

“…Using private security companies in this context raises a number of normative questions around the suitability of commercial security providers having privileged access to a vulnerable population (see Harkin, 2019;Harkin, 2020;Harkin & Fitz-Gibbon, 2017). It also raises some interesting conceptual questions regarding what is the 'commodity' that is purchased by domestic violence services when they contract a security company.…”