Dr Kate Fitz-Gibbon leads new research on domestic violence disclosure schemes.

In her capacity as a Professor (Practice) with Monash University, Dr Kate Fitz-Gibbon has released a new report examining the merits and limits of domestic violence disclosure schemes in Australia and New Zealand. This Final Report is co-authored with Professor Sandra Walklate and Dr Ellen Reeves from University of Liverpool (UK).

Domestic violence disclosure schemes (such as the one operating now in South Australia and the one piloted then discontinued in NSW) broadly have three objectives:

1. To strengthen the ability of the police and specialist service providers to provide appropriate protection and support to victims at risk of domestic violence
2. To reduce incidents of domestic violence through prevention of future harm
3. To empower people to make informed choices about their safety in their relationships. 

Each of the schemes are administered differently. In some cases, applicants can lodge an application online. In others, an applicant must lodge their application directly with the police.

The research found that domestic violence disclosure schemes may not improve safety for victim-survivors of intimate partner violence.

This project represents the first study in Australia and New Zealand to examine the degree to which a DVDS provides an effective intervention for victim-survivors of intimate partner violence in enhancing their safety. The findings from this project are relevant to current policy discussions and evaluations of the DVDS in all Australian states and territories, as well as in comparable international jurisdictions, including New Zealand, Canada, United States, Scotland, England and Wales.

👉🏼 You can read the Report here.

Kate, Sandra and Ellen have published a number of other outputs from their study of domestic violence disclosure schemes, including:

• A research article in Feminists@Law titled, ‘Exploring the Outcomes of Divergent Approaches to the Policy Making Process: Domestic Violence Disclosure Schemes and Perpetrator Registers in Australia.’ In this article, they call for a return to principled policy making processes, underpinned by a commitment to delivering policy and practice that is seamless, accessible, fair and effective.
• An article for The Conversation titled, ‘Domestic violence disclosure schemes may not improve safety for victim-survivors of intimate partner violence’, summarises the findings from their study of domestic violence disclosure schemes in Australia and New Zealand.