WIREDGOV

The public are to be asked their views on whether to introduce a scheme for disclosing information about an individual’s history of domestic violence to a new partner, the Home Secretary Theresa May announced yesterday.

Yesterday's consultation asks whether the protection of victims of domestic violence can be improved by the establishment of a national Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme and if such a scheme could work in practice.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: 'I have been clear that ending violence against women and girls is a personal priority for me and this government. Domestic violence is a particularly dreadful form of abuse and I want us to constantly look at new ways of protecting victims and preventing tragic incidents from happening.'

New measures to protect victims

The police already have common law powers to disclose information relating to previous convictions or charges to the public where there is a pressing need for disclosure of the information concerning an individual’s history in order to prevent further crime. However, calls for the introduction of a national disclosure scheme have gained momentum following the tragic case of Clare Wood, who was murdered by her former partner in Greater Manchester in 2009.  Her partner had three previous convictions under the Protection from Harassment At 1997.

This consultation presents three options:

• option 1: continue current arrangements under existing law
• option 2: a 'right to ask' national disclosure scheme - this would enable a person to ask the police about a person’s previous history of domestic violence or violent acts. 
• option 3: a 'right to know' national disclosure scheme where the police would proactively disclose information in prescribed circumstances

Cross-government action

The government has already taken a range of action on domestic violence as part of A Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls, published in Spring 2011, aimed at preventing violence and providing more support for victims.

Domestic Violence Protection Orders have been introduced to empower police officers and magistrates to stop offenders from contacting victims or returning to their home for up to 28 days.  And Domestic Homicide Reviews mean local areas and agencies are expected to undertake a multi-agency review following a domestic violence homicide to assist all those involved in the review process in identifying the lessons that can be learned with a view to preventing future homicides and violence.