Women were promised a scheme to combat domestic violence - it never happened
Share this @internewscast.com

In 2023, women in NSW were promised a new tool to help tackle the epidemic of domestic violence but two years on, nothing has happened.

In the last state election, the then-premier, Dominic Perrottet, promised to introduce the Right To Ask Scheme. This domestic violence disclosure scheme (DVDS) was designed to enable individuals to discover if their current or previous partner had a background of abusive or violent behavior.

The initiative, hailed by several domestic violence advocates and groups, seemed like a significant advancement. However, when the NSW Coalition lost, the plans for the scheme appeared to be set aside.

Former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet vowed to implement the Right To Ask Scheme while campaigning in 2023. (Edwina Pickles)

Survivor and advocate Jo Cooper believes that some fatalities might have been avoided if victims had access to crucial information about their partner’s criminal history through a DVDS.

“Survivors or people experiencing [domestic violence], they’re desperate for it,” she said.

But when she reached out to politicians, domestic violence organisations and advocacy groups, she claims she was met with silence, “bureaucratic side-steps” or “noncommittal answers”. 

Domestic violence organisations were also reluctant to speak about how a DVDS could potentially be implemented in NSW.

Shadow Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Natasha Maclaren-Jones told 9news.com.au the proposal went nowhere because because Labor “did not support the Coalition’s commitment to implementing a scheme”.

Full Stop Australia and Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW) voiced support for the proposed Right To Ask Scheme in 2023 but both declined to comment for this article.

Women’s Legal Service NSW, Women’s Legal Service Australia, and NSW Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison MP also declined to comment when contacted.

Frustrated, Cooper started a petition calling for the implementation of such a scheme in NSW before more women die.
Survivor and advocate Jo Cooper believes a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) could help protect women in NSW.
Survivor and advocate Jo Cooper believes a domestic violence disclosure scheme could help protect women in NSW. (Instagram/@the.goodwarrior)

The scheme she proposed would be modelled on Clare’s Law, a landmark legislation introduced in the UK in 2014 after Clare Wood was murdered by her ex-partner.

Police knew the man had a criminal history but never shared that information with Wood, even after she made a police statement and got a restraining order against him.

After Wood’s death in 2009, her father campaigned to change privacy laws so that other women would be able to find out if a partner or ex had a record of violent or abusive behaviour.

An independent review found that 98 per cent of clients found the scheme helpful in making decisions about their personal safety and SA Police Assistant Commissioner Linda Williams told 9News in March she had “no doubt” the scheme saved lives.

Now Cooper wants to see the same for NSW.

“I just want some level of power for individuals. We’re always on the back foot,” she said.

She was young when an ex became physically abusive.

When she ended the relationship, Cooper alleges he found her at a local shopping centre and forced her into a vehicle.

”He grabbed my wrist, wouldn’t let it go, and I kept pleading, I tried to be nice to try and get myself out,” she said.

“Long story short, he put his foot on the pedal [and] drove fast enough that when he flung me out, I rolled and was not in a good way.”

The police response and experience of getting an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) against her ex was equal parts distressing and disappointing, Cooper claims.

“You feel so humiliated. You’re pleading for protection like it’s a privilege instead of a right,” she said.

And domestic violence statistics only seem to be getting worse.

About 2500 reports of domestic violence are made to police every month in NSW, though that figure likely represents less than half of actual crime levels due to underreporting.

“What we have at the moment isn’t working,” Cooper said.

“[A DVDS] is not a silver bullet. It’s not going to fix the entire system, but we have to start introducing preventative measures rather than being on the reactive side.”

Survivor and advocate Jo Cooper believes a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) could help protect women in NSW.
Jo Cooper: “I just want some level of power for individuals. We’re always on the back foot.” (Instagram/@the.goodwarrior)

She and other victim-survivors insist a DVDS would help individuals make decisions about their relationships and safety and be vital tool in combating domestic violence in NSW.

But some claim the cost and limitations of such a scheme would limit its effectiveness.

The final report from a trial DVDS run in four NSW locations between 2016 and 2019 found that there was “limited demand” for the scheme and the per-case cost of operation was high (averaging $3959 per application).

However, the same report acknowledged there were “early indications that the DVDS is proving of value to individual applicants”.

Cooper acknowledged that implementing a DVDS won’t be a “complete fix” for the domestic violence issue in NSW but said that “if it saves one life … that’s better than none”.

For now, Cooper’s best hope is to get 20,000 signatures on her petition before July so that it will be put to the NSW Legislative Assembly​​​​.

Maclaren-Jones said “the Coalition would be pleased to bring this petition in the house, urging the Minns Labor government to take tangible action on this crucial matter”.

But if the petition fails to attract enough signatures, it’s back to square one.

“My heart is racing because it’s so frustrating [and] it’s a lot of work for one person to do, but I’m not giving up,” Cooper said.

“In Australia, not only do we deserve better, we demand better, because we can’t continue to call ourselves progressive and ahead of the game when we’re not.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Donald Trump says a buyer for TikTok may be finalised soon.

Trump Announces Impending TikTok Buyer Revelation Within Two Weeks

President Donald Trump said in an interview there is a “buyer for…
Appeal for help to find missing woman Aanisha Sathik

Sydney Teenager’s Family Makes Urgent Appeal for Assistance in Search

The family of a western Sydney teenager who has been missing for…

Murujuga World Heritage Status Threatened by Industrial Pollution

As an Australian delegation gets ready to head to Paris to advocate…

Australian Band Supports Glastonbury Performers Advocating for Palestinian Rights

Australian pub rock band Amyl and the Sniffers have criticised the British…
Noel Edmonds (right) and his wife Liz (left) were forced to 'grab their dogs and flee their home' after a terrifying ordeal at their New Zealand home

Noel Edmonds and spouse had to ‘seize dogs and escape home’ following frightening incident at New Zealand property

Noel Edmonds and his wife were forced to ‘grab their dogs and…
Kerrie-Anne Graf's son had a severe reaction to a 'black henna' tattoo in Bali.

Australian Mom Issues Warning After Her Son’s Severe Reaction to a $10 Henna Tattoo in Bali

A Sydney mother has shared a warning after her son had a…

Australia’s Renowned Superannuation System Leaves Some Feeling Left Behind

Is super fairly providing for all Australians in retirement? With legislative changes…
How AI chatbots are delivering health lies to 'millions'

AI Chatbots Disseminating Health Misinformation to Millions

People have been warned about trusting “Dr Google” for years – but…

Severe Weather Forecast for Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane

Parts of Australia will cop severe weather this week, with the Bureau…

Sniper Ambush in Idaho Leaves Two Firefighters Dead

A gunman ambushed and shot dead two firefighters responding to a forest…
'Animals treated better' than Indigenous teen, family says

Family Claims Indigenous Teen Faced Worse Treatment Than Animals

Warning: This story contains the name and images of a deceased Indigenous…
An investigation is underway after a man was assaulted by armed intruders before he was thrown into a car, and his house was set on fire in Yea, Victoria.

Burglars who assaulted farmer and set house on fire might have targeted incorrect address, police report

Authorities suspect that the perpetrators behind a “cowardly attack” that left a…