Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme reveals South Australians at immediate risk of domestic violence

Five people who asked police about their partners’ violent criminal history have been deemed at such risk that authorities immediately intervened.

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Five people who asked police about their partners’ violent criminal history have been deemed at such risk that authorities immediately intervened.

Senior police have revealed the “horrific” offending by some partners with extensive histories left them no choice but to act before the behaviour “escalated”.

Since October 2, people concerned about the behaviour of a spouse, defacto or boyfriend or girlfriend have been able to apply for information.

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme allows them to see if they have committed violent acts in the past.

The scheme is intended to act on early red flags in a relationship to avoid future harm.

Up until Friday, 51 people had applied and eight of those had been told about concerning revelations. Of those, four women and one man were deemed to be at “imminent” risk of harm.

“If you were to read one (of the criminal histories) you would think this is horrific,” SA Police Detective Superintendent Mark Wieszyk told The Advertiser.

“The chances are that something is going to escalate to the point we need to take action, so let’s get in first.”

Supt Wieszyk said the risk could stem from the sheer number of offences committed, their severity or behaviour displayed recently that would indicate the partner had perpetrated abuse in the current relationship which had previously gone unreported.

That information was “immediately” passed on to specialist family violence officers “so that they can take action”.

While 51 people have applied to the scheme, only 25 met the criteria for further investigation. They must be aged older than 17, living in SA and in a relationship where they were worried about their partner’s behaviour, or have ongoing contact with that person such as shared custody of children.

The 21 applicants who did not meet the criteria were all connected with support services. One applicant was in a same-sex relationship, three were male and 14 lived in regional areas.

Friends and relatives can apply on behalf of loved ones.

The Advertiser reported on Saturday that more than 10,000 crimes committed last year – including murder, assault, trespass and robbery – were connected to people in abusive relationships.

Supt Wieszyk, who heads the force’s Public Protection Branch, said those kind of convictions would be revealed through the disclosure scheme.

Police were also recording the names of every partner they investigate to identify repeat offenders, he said.
For support CALL 1800 RESPECT or the Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 800 098