Revealing history of serial violence is helping victims

Bringing to light the history of serial abusers in previous relationships is making a big difference to people at risk of domestic violence in South Australia, according to a new report.

An independent review of the South Australian Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme has shown significant improvements in the support and safety of people at risk and has been praised as an example of good practice globally.

“Clients report that disclosures have an overwhelmingly positive impact on them including by making visible previously hidden patterns of abuse by serial perpetrators, correcting victim-blaming narratives, and helping clients make informed decisions about their relationship,” explained the report’s lead author Dr Kat Hadjimatheou, from our Department of Sociology and Criminology.

Domestic abusers coerce and control their victims by lying about their past behaviour and blaming current and ex-partners for their own violence and abuse. As a relationship develops, the abuser often starts to tell a story about who is to blame for any conflict or violence.

However, domestic violence disclosure schemes (DVDS) aim to support people at risk of domestic violence, by providing them with information about the risk their current or ex-partner poses to them and their family. They enable someone who has concerns about their partner or ex-partner to find out if that person has a history of using violence in previous relationships.

Demand for the South Australian Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) has risen by 200% since it was introduced in October 2018. It has received 2,581 applications for disclosure and organised 1,064 disclosure meetings.

The review found that 98% of clients found the DVDS helpful in making decisions about their personal safety and over 95% of clients found the disclosure meeting helpful in making decisions about other aspects of safety, including children and pets. It also found 99% of clients were satisfied with the service they received from South Australia Police and the Domestic and Family Violence Service.

Dr Hadjimatheou added: “Our review also found that clients found the DVDS was as useful to them at the end of a relationship as at the beginning.

“This highlights the value of the DVDS that extends beyond early intervention, by also protecting people at the riskiest time when they are at the point of leaving. This has implications for how the DVDS is promoted.”

Disclosure schemes exist in the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Malta, Spain and South Australia. However, unlike other disclosure schemes, the South Australian DVDS is delivered in a coordinated partnership approach between Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Services and South Australian Police (SAPOL). Each agency’s role and responsibilities are determined on the basis of their expertise, legal powers, and the rights, safety, and support needs of Persons at Risk (PARs).

Every applicant to the DVDS receives contact from a DFV specialist and is offered confidential trauma-informed support, domestic violence education, risk assessment, safety planning, onward referrals, and psychological support, irrespective of whether they are eligible and irrespective of whether a disclosure is made.

Welcoming the review’s findings, Mergho Ray, from the Women’s Safety Service South Australia, said: “Overwhelmingly positive user feedback has long led us to feel both proud of the service we, in partnership with South Australian Police, are providing, and confident that the scheme is achieving its aim of supporting people who are concerned about their relationship in making informed decisions about its future.

“This independent review is welcome confirmation of the high standard of support the DVDS provides, whilst highlighting opportunities for the improvement of the scheme that we continuously strive for.”

Deputy Commissioner of South Australia Police, Linda Williams, added: “South Australia Police is proud to partner with Women’s Safety Services SA in the joint provision of the South Australia Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.

“The number of people seeking information under the DVDS to address safety concerns in their relationship continues to increase year by year. The ability for community members to make informed decisions that relate to their safety and that of their children is vitally important in supporting the creation of safer communities.”