THE community has rallied for victims of domestic and family violence with a crowd gathering in Bicentennial Park for a candlelit vigil to shed light on the local issue.
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Support for the annual event, hosted by Tamworth Family Support Service (TFSS), has grown over its time, but organisers say more awareness is still needed to address the problem in the region.
TFSS has worked with local police in recent years to implement a preventative pilot program allowing people access to information about the violent criminal history of partners.
The service said the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme had been a success since it was launched in the region in April 2016.
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The state government recently announced it would extend the trial in the Oxley command, as well as three other police districts in NSW, until June 2019.
Tamworth police want more of the community to be aware of the available programs aimed at preventing domestic violence.
The Oxley Police District has processed 52 applications since the DVDS commenced, domestic violence liaison officer Senior Constable Kareena Gill said.
“The DVDS scheme provides an option for potential victims of domestic violence to be informed about their current or former partner’s history,” Senior Constable Gill said.
“Therefore the program allows the victim to make an informed decision about their safety and the future of the relationship.
“The scheme allows for a person who is concerned for their safety or the safety of someone else to submit a completed application to an officer at a police station located within one of the pilot police districts.”
Senior Constable Gill said the scheme was easy to access and greater promotion and awareness would lead to a bigger uptake.
“To ensure the safety of a potential victim, the subject of the application will not be informed of any application or disclosure made about them,” she said.
“All persons present during a disclosure are required to sign undertakings that they will not share, publish or misuse the information that is disclosed.”
She said NSW Police encouraged community members not to be bystanders and report incidents of domestic violence.
Applicants can find forms and information online, or contact Tamworth Police Station.