NSW Pilot Scheme Empowers Anyone To Identify A Partner’s Violent Past

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Published

April 13, 2016

Today, Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence Pru Goward introduced an Australian first: New South Wales will pilot a groundbreaking new scheme to help survivors and people at risk of domestic violence.

Based on the very similar Clare’s Law in the UK, the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) allows NSW Police to tell people experiencing domestic abuse whether their partner has a history of violence or domestic abuse.

Australia’s first domestic violence disclosure scheme being launched to “give victims the power” @7NewsSydney pic.twitter.com/0oVdX2PLOV

— Jessica Dietrich (@jessdietrich7) April 13, 2016

The scheme also allows third parties to enquire about someone’s partner and their history, if the party is concerned about violence or abuse.

The scheme is being piloted by four separate police commands to begin with, Sutherland, Oxley, Shoalhaven, and St. George.

Women’s services will be working in conjunction with police in order to assist the scheme’s processes, one of the services being YWCA NSW:

YWCA NSW will run one of the 4 pilot programs of NSW’s Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme #ywcansw #enddv #sayno pic.twitter.com/GJG0e9Kj7d

— YWCA NSW (@YWCANSW) April 13, 2016

Goward said that once the victim has applied for disclosure on the history of their partner, police will let them know if they are ‘at high risk’ within 2 days, and within 2 weeks if they are ‘at low risk’.

Regardless of the assigned risk level, women’s services will assist everyone who goes through the disclosure scheme. They will give counselling to help them figure out their next steps in their relationship, and give advice on how to can ‘manage the risk’ if they choose to stay in the relationship.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said this about the scheme:

“We’re really pleased with today’s announcement… This is important to us as a police force.

We know this is arguably one of the worst crime types that we have to deal with, because we deal with it so often. Can I say that to be at the top of your game in law enforcement over any crime type is important, but I think when it comes to domestic violence, it’s even more important that we change the game. And today is about changing the game.

Its one of the tools that we have rolled out, we continue to roll out with the government, to make life for those who continue to be repeat offenders when it comes to domestic violence, very very tough. We’re in the business of stopping you.”

NSW Police filmed the press conference for Periscope, which you can watch below:

LIVE on #Periscope: NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione announces Australia’s first Domestic Violence Disclosur… https://t.co/EarUa4S9cu

— NSW Police (@nswpolice) April 13, 2016

It’s an incredible step in prioritising the victims of domestic violence, “[giving] them power” and “allowing them to take back control”. Here’s hoping the scheme is implemented Australia-wide ASAP.

If you’d like to know more about the NSW Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, you can here: women.nsw.gov.au/violence_prevention/domestic-violence-disclosure-scheme

Source: Periscope.

Photo: Daniel Munoz / Getty.

If you or someone you love would like to speak to someone about experiencing domestic violence or abuse, you can reach the team at 1800RESPECT via phone (1800 737 732), or via online chat.