NSW Parliament will debate a push for a domestic violence disclosure scheme (DVDS) this week, after campaigners gathered more than 20,000 verified signatures required to trigger parliamentary discussion.
Clare’s Law was rolled out in England and Wales in 2014 following the 2009 murder of Clare Wood, for whom the scheme is named. A similar scheme has already been rolled out in South Australia.
Member for North Shore and Shadow Minister for Women, Felicity Wilson, formally tabled the petition in parliament, urging bipartisan support for a bill that would see Clare’s Law legislated in the state.
Sally Stevenson, Executive Director of the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre in Shellharbour welcomed the parliamentary debate, while urging caution and greater research into international and interstate experiences.
“We welcome the opportunity to have a conversation on a disclosure scheme, but we need to ensure it is informed by research and the lessons from other jurisdictions,” she said.
A 2023 report into Clare’s Law in the UK found the scheme was falling short of its goals. The research, funded by the British Academy, concluded: “This scheme is not working for the women for whom it is intended either in its own terms or in theirs.”
It warned that Clare’s Law risks placing too much responsibility on victim-survivors to act on disclosures, while reducing accountability on state systems if women are unable to act.
In her formal response to the petition, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said implementing Clare’s Law in NSW requires “careful consideration to mitigate against unintended consequences, including increased risk to victim-survivors.”
She noted that a pilot scheme in NSW was discontinued in 2018 after concerns about data sharing and costs.
Minister Harrison also pointed to recent research by Monash University and the University of Liverpool, which questioned whether the investment required to support disclosure schemes was justified, suggesting that funding might be more effective if directed towards other evidence-based measures.
“No level of domestic violence is acceptable. The Government will continue to work alongside those dealing with domestic violence first-hand, to prevent offending and support victim-survivors,” she said.
Ms Stevenson agreed that a disclosure scheme needs careful consideration.
“Evidence from the UK and Australia shows that these schemes are resource-intensive, and sometimes fall short of protecting the women they are designed to support,” she said.
“Funding must be directed where it can make the most difference, into long-term, evidence-based services like housing, financial security, and trauma recovery support. These are the safeguards that ensure women have the means to act on information and rebuild safe lives.”
The parliamentary debate is expected to take place on Thursday, September 11.
The Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre is a one-stop place for women to heal and rebuild their lives after experiencing domestic, family, and sexual violence. For more information, contact the team on 4243 9800.