Secret pasts will be revealed under a pilot scheme to prevent domestic violence that started today in the Sutherland and St George police local area commands.
Women and men who feel they are at risk of violence can check with police whether their partner has a violent past.
A concerned family member, friend or a professional who has an ongoing relationship with the person who may be at risk, can also ask police to make a check.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Pru Goward launched Australia’s first domestic violence disclosure scheme at Sutherland police station.
Sutherland and St George are two of only four police local area commands taking part in the pilot, which the state government announced in October last year.
The others are Oxley, covering the Tamworth area, and Shoalhaven, centred on Nowra.
NSW Woman of the Year, Jennifer Armstrong, of Grays Point, a domestic violence survivor, was among those present at the launch.
Ms Goward said the program would increase the safety of people potentially at risk of domestic violence by giving them the opportunity to find out if their current or former partner had a violent past.
“For too long, domestic violence has been a hidden issue,” she said.
“It is rarely a one-off incident, and if we are going to break the cycle we need to intervene early and prevent future violence.”
Ms Goward said the government had also invested $2.3 million over the two-year pilot for expert domestic and family violence non government organisation services to provide support to people who felt at risk regardless of whether a disclosure had been made or not.
Commissioner Andrew Scipione said the disclosure scheme was another tool to help manage risk for potential victims and identify potential reoffenders.
Mr Scipione said the scheme had been developed following wide consultation with legal experts, domestic and family violence service providers, as well as NSW Police.
Under the pilot scheme, the person deemed to be at risk of domestic violence will need to live in the catchment of one of the four LACs where the scheme is operating.
However, anyone else raising concerns will still be assisted, with a range of options available.
Police will make an immediate check to see whether a person suspected of previous domestic violence has a serious criminal record, including previous breaches of apprehended violence orders.
If the risk is considered serious, notification will be made within two days; otherwise, disclosure will occur in about two weeks.
While family members can make an inquiry, the information will only be released to the person deemed to be at risk.
The information will be in verbal form, not in writing.
Where a check reveals no history, a person who feels at risk will still be offered support through services provided by a non government organisation working in this area.
Sutherland Shire Family Services, which operates in both St George and the shire, has been chosen to partner police in the Sydney trials.
Police will refer “primary persons”, who may require support services, to the organisation.
Services available include access to a domestic violence support worker, safety planning and referral to trauma counselling.
Chief executive Diane Manns said the organisation had been recognised for its expertise, quality of programs and support for families in need, as well as its work in building community awareness about the various types of domestic violence.
Sutherland Shire Family Service’s Pull Ya Head In video clips campaign has gained widespread attention.
Disclosure scheme information: domesticviolence.nsw.gov.au/dvds
