NSW Police introduces domestic violence disclosure scheme to protect potential victims

Updated

In a national first, New South Wales has introduced a domestic violence disclosure scheme, where people at risk can find out if their partner has a history of violent criminal offences.

The scheme was rolled out to four police local area commands, Sutherland, St George, Oxley and Shoalhaven on Wednesday.

People who live in those areas will able to apply to police to disclose if their partner has been convicted of breaches of crimes like assault, murder and manslaughter, or if they have previously breached apprehended domestic violence orders.

Police will conduct an interim check to see if an applicant is at high or immediate risk, then conduct a more thorough assessment to provide to them at a later date.

The Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Pru Goward said the scheme would empower victims to make a decision that could ultimately save their lives.

Whether there is a history or there isn't a history [of domestic violence] there will be an expert service to work with that victim ... to make some decisions about their future. Pru Goward, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence

"We want victims and potential victims to no longer be in the dark about their perpetrators history, we want them to have a sense of control about what they do next," Ms Goward said.

Assistant Commissioner Mick Fuller said relatives would also be able to seek information if they were concerned about the wellbeing of a family member.

"The wonderful thing about the disclosure scheme, it's not just about the individual having the courage to come forward but a third party can, so that could be a parent, it could be a concerned brother or sister, or it could be an agency that is currently engaged with that individual," Mr Fuller said.

He added that the disclosure of the information was then made confidentially to the potential victim in the relationship and not shared with the third party.

Those who apply will be connected to help

Victims who seek access to their partner's previous crimes will also be connected to specialist non-government organisations which provide services to those at risk.

Ms Goward said the NGO's would have a vital role to play in domestic violence prevention.

"Whether there is a history or there isn't a history [of domestic violence] there will be an expert service to work with that victim, so that victim can make some decisions about their future," she said.

"Do they stay in the relationship, do they leave the relationship, how do they manage their risk?"

Jen Armstrong, whose ex-husband started physically abusing her when she was eight months pregnant, said her family and friends would have taken advantage of the scheme if it had been up and running when she was in the relationship.

She said it would have brought her into vital contact with services that could have helped her leave the relationship earlier.

"Even if I was too pig-headed to listen to my family, if you have officers of the law and social workers approaching you in the right way ... that is how you're going to start forming those relationships with the people who can help you get out and get out safely," Ms Armstrong said.

Topics: domestic-violence, state-parliament, police, sutherland-2232, oxley-2711, shoalhaven-heads-2535

First posted