The Domestic Violence Register

1. Introduction

In 2015, New South Wales introduced the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, the first domestic violence register to be piloted in Australia. The scheme is based on a similar initiative that was undertaken in the United Kingdom known as Clare’s Law.

Research shows that domestic violence very rarely occurs one time. It is the crime with the highest rate of recidivism. 61.5% of domestic violence victims in Australia have experienced more than once incident of domestic violence.

George Sten & Co are one of New South Wale’s foremost law firms. Our expert Criminal Lawyers can assist you with your domestic violence matter. Contact us immediately for professional service and specialized legal advice.

2. Objective of the scheme 

The main objective of the Scheme is to allow people to find out whether their partner has a history of domestic violence. This in turn, allows the person to make an informed decision about whether to begin or continue a relationship with someone.

3. How the scheme works 

Under the scheme, a person who is concerned about their partner can make an application with the New South Wales Police Force to find out more information about their partner’s history of domestic violence. It provides people with a ‘right to ask’. The scheme also allows the police force to disclose this information. This is known as the ‘right to know’

A third party can also make an application under the Scheme. A third party includes family members, friends, a professional working with the family or a legal guardian.

For example, Sarah Smith would be able to make an application to the New South Wales Police Force for disclosure about her husband’s past. He has been become increasingly angry and aggressive with her. He has recently started drinking more alcohol and last week, when he came home drunk he pushed her to the ground.

Another example involves a third party. Amanda Smith has become concerned that he daughter, Sarah Smith’s husband has been acting out toward Sarah. Amanda is worried that the husband may have committed domestic violence in the past and is prone to violent behaviour when he is intoxicated. Amanda makes an application to the New South Wales Police Force. If there is a disclosure to be made, it is made to the ‘primary person’ who in this case is Sarah Smith.

It is important to make note of the fact that this kind of scheme may seem to inflict with a person’s right to privacy. However, the way that the scheme works is by using a part of the privacy legislation that allows certain disclosures if it is in the public’s benefit to know.

4. Current pilot locations

At present, the Scheme is being piloted in 4 areas of New South Wales:

• Oxley (Tamworth region)
• Shoalhaven (Nowra region)
• Sutherland (Menai/Engadine/Sutherland region)
• St George (Kogarah/Hurstville region).

5. Who can make an application? 

At present, the Scheme is only available in the pilot locations listed above. The ‘primary person’ must reside in one of these pilot locations. Australian residents who are over the age of 16 years can make an application. You can find an application for the disclosure at a local Police Station in one of the pilot areas.

6. What kind of information will the Police disclose?

If the subject of the application has committed a relevant offence and has been convicted, this will be disclosed. The police will disclose the type of offence committed and the date when it was committed.

Only relevant offences will be disclosed. Relevant offences include personal violence offences committed in a domestic relationship such as domestic violence offences as defined by the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007). Offences such as sexual offences, child abuse offences and murder that were committed outside a domestic relationship are also considered relevant.

There are several offences, which will the Police will not disclose under this scheme. For example offences committed outside New South Wales, juvenile convictions, spent convictions and Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (DAVOs).

It should be kept in mind that domestic violence is not always reported so even though an application comes back with no disclosures, it does not mean that there was certainly no incidence of domestic violence by the subject.

If you are have a significant worry that your partner has a domestically violent past, you can ask to have your application fast tracked.

7. What happens if there is a disclosure?

If there is a disclosure to be made, it will be made to the ‘primary person’. The primary person will be told verbally at either the police station or another place that is safe. There will be several people present at the agreed place for the disclosure. There will be an expert domestic and family violence support service person there to support the ‘primary person’. They will also assist the ‘primary person’ to plan for their safety.

If the Police are under the impression that the disclosure is of an urgent nature, then they can make the disclosure at the time of the application.

Another important point is that the ‘subject’ of the application will not be made aware of the application. This is done to ensure that safety of the ‘primary person’ and others including the ‘third person’ who may have made the application.

Anyone who is present at the agreed place for the disclosure will have to sign a personal undertaking that they will not misuse the information provided through the application.

8. Conclusion

If you find yourself in a situation where you believe that your partner may have a history of domestic violence, then you should make an application for disclosure of any relevant criminal history. At present, the scheme is only available in the 4 aforementioned pilot areas. If you have been victim to domestic violence or have been accused of domestic violence and require any legal advice, assistance or representation, contact George Sten & Co Criminal Lawyers. Our Domestic Violence Lawyers have over 50 years of experience in Criminal Law and can help you to achieve the best outcome in your situation. Call our office today! 02 9261 8640