Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea has backed the Baird Government’s plan to empower partners who are at risk of domestic and family violence through a register that records names of offenders.
“Too many women and children are scarred by domestic and family violence,” Mr O’Dea said.
“A disclosure scheme gives the public the ‘right to ask’ police if they have concern that their partner may pose a risk to them and for agencies to make a ‘right to know’ disclosure based upon information that an individual is at risk of harm from their partner.
“Providing people the opportunity to find out if their partner has a violent past empowers informed decision-making about the future of relationships.
“Following consultation and review, New South Wales could be the first state in Australia to introduce a domestic violence disclosure scheme.”
Mr O’Dea said the United Kingdom introduced a domestic violence disclosure scheme in 2014 called ‘Clare’s Law’, which has proven to be a significant prevention initiative.
“The Baird Government is committed to reducing domestic and family violence, and a disclosure scheme in NSW has the potential to significantly advance our efforts,” he said.
Consultation and development of the domestic violence disclosure scheme will be led by Women NSW and the Department of Justice. It will review necessary law reform and report back to the Government with recommendations mid-2015.
The Government will also take further steps to eliminate domestic and family violence through expanding the Minister for Women’s role to also include additional responsibilities as Australia’s first Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
This follows the Baird Government’s announcement earlier in the week of 24 new domestic violence specialist police officers to join the police force.
For more on domestic violence policy, visit http://www.domesticviolence.nsw.gov.au
