Oxley police are the only regional command trialling the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) which started in mid-April.

It’s designed to prevent and reduce the rates of domestic violence (DV), and, locally, police are working hand-in-hand with the Tamworth Family Support Service (TFSS) to help those potentially at risk from repeat perpetrators.

There have been inqui- ries from outside the Oxley policing area, but only two applications for a disclosure on someone’s background have been received in Tamworth.

“DV is generally characterised by a pattern of abusive and/or controlling behaviour, often perpetrators repeat these behaviours in successive relationships,” Oxley Senior Constable Kareena Gill told The Leader.

“The DVDS is aimed at preventing further incidences of DV from occurring by informing potential victims about their current or former partner’s history.” 

The disclosure system reveals convictions for contravening AVOs, man- slaughter, murder, assault and child sex offences.

But it’s not a fishing expedition, rather applicants must prove there is a relationship.

“It’s empowering them to know what they are doing,” TFSS Homelessness Services Manager Tanya Rogers said.

“The nature of DV is people are often isolated from their loved ones, and usually the perpetrator will try and isolate them from their families. 

“If we can get people out of potentially dangerous situations before they escalate to those horribly dangerous situations, then we will.”

Concerned family or friends can make a third-party application, but police will only make the disclosure to the primary person.

“The application must be made in relation to a person who is or was in an intimate relationship with the 

subject, who has concerns, or someone holds concerns for their safety and who resides within one of the four participating local area commands which are undertaking the DVDS pilot,” Senior Constable Gill said.

But regardless of the disclosure outcome, support is on offer. 

“So when someone goes into a relationship and they start feeling a bit anxious, they can go and make an application for a disclosure,” Ms Rogers said.

“If they choose not to leave their relationship, which is their choice, we give them that support too and we can look at putting safety planning in place in case they need to escape or leave that property.

“If there is no disclosure, then we also look at what were the identifying reasons, and why that person is feeling anxious and we can support them from there too.”

There’s no limit to the amount of applications and concerned locals can contact Tamworth police for more information.