ALREADY this year 39 women have been reported to have died at the hands of their partners and domestic violence has the highest repeat offender rate of any crime.
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This startling data has been part of the impetus behind a pilot proposal by the NSW government for a new Domestic Violence Order Scheme (DVDS). The scheme would give people the "right to ask" police if their partner had a history of domestic violence.
Discussions will take place this week to consider the details of the scheme, such as whether or not third parties can seek information if they're concerned about someone in a relationship, as well as giving police the ability to disclose information to a person as their "right to know". This would apply even if the information hadn't been asked for.
Minister for Women Pru Goward said the scheme was aimed to "empower women" and "increase the safety of those at risk while holding the perpetrators to account".
"The paper sets out a number of questions and the responses received throughout the consultation period and the roundtables will help shape the implementation of the scheme," she said.
"It [the scheme] will have checks and balances in place to ensure informed disclosures are only made where appropriate."
Ms Goward also said the scheme would be piloted in four police local area commands.
The Lake Illawarra Local Area Command is among the top three commands with the highest rate of domestic violence. The other two are Shoalhaven LAC and Blacktown LAC.
"The discussion paper is seeking input into the development of the DVDS NSW pilot. The locations of the pilot sites will be determined following the consultation," Ms Goward said.
The proposal comes off the back of a scheme in the United Kingdom, Clare's Law, which came about after Clare Wood was murdered by her former boyfriend in 2009. Her boyfriend had had an extensive history of violence against women.
Jason Hogan, Police Association of NSW executive member of the southern region, said they welcomed initiatives supporting victims of domestic violence.
"We are expecting to be a part of the consultation process and will comment further as this progresses," Mr Hogan said.
Member for Kiama Gareth Ward encouraged residents to have their say in order to assist in the potential state roll-out of the scheme over the two-year trial period.
"The disclosure scheme is about holding offenders to account and preventing people being kept in the dark about potential dangers in their relationships," Mr Ward said.
To view the discussion paper and provide feedback, please visit the website at: www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/.
