Victoria parties commit to domestic violence disclosure law
Both major Victorian parties pledged to introduce Clare's Law, which allows people to request police information about a partner's family violence record.
In the lead-up to the state election, Labor and the Coalition both committed to introducing Clare's Law, a domestic violence disclosure scheme. The policy lets people ask police whether a current or former partner has a family violence history.
South Australia introduced a similar scheme with good results: 98% of people surveyed found it helpful for safety. The scheme has limits.
Most domestic violence goes unreported to police, and relatively few incidents lead to criminal convictions. Experts say the scheme works best when paired with specialist family violence support and safety planning, not as a standalone tool.
Victoria's demand for victim support services already exceeds available funding.
Why it mattersMany victim-survivors lack information about a partner's past violence, a gap that can affect decisions about their own safety and relationships.
AustraliaIf enacted, Victorians would have a new avenue to seek information, but the scheme's effectiveness depends on proper funding for counselling, housing support, and specialist services.
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